ALL NOVEL Chapter 7: Falcon Punch
Tutorial Quest: Stop A Crime.
Details: You want to play hero; think you're big stuff now you have a team. Huh? Prove you're more than just a pretty face(whoops, you currently are faceless) with lizard powers and stop a crime. Don't worry —I'll keep the expectations low. For now---
**Reward: ** 1 Quest Coin and Main Questline
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The meeting room was tense as Sam Wilson, the Falcon, paced in front of the assembled team. Blue Streak leaned back in his chair, twirling a pen lazily, while Texas Twister adjusted his hat with a sigh. Marvel Man inspected his high-tech gauntlets, and Vamp's arms were crossed, her expression a mixture of irritation and boredom. Josh sat quietly at the edge of the group, his posture stiff and attentive.
"Alright, listen up," Sam began, his commanding voice cutting through the murmurs. "Before we get any assignments, we're doing a round of special training. Some of you think you're hotshots already, but I've been in this game long enough to see what overconfidence does to a team. It gets people hurt. Or worse."
Blue Streak groaned audibly. "C'mon, man. We've got powers. Why do we need basic training? Do you think a guy with rocket skates needs to learn to run drills? I've been outpacing cops and crooks for years. Training—especially drills—is for rookies, not pros like me."
Texas Twister smirked, leaning back with his arms crossed. "Sounds like someone's afraid to break a sweat."
Marvel Man raised an eyebrow. "We're not rookies, Falcon. I've been through plenty of training with S.H.I.E.L.D. already."
"And I've been completing jobs for years as a freelancer," Vamp added coolly. "I don't need a lecture on teamwork."
Sam's gaze swept over the group, his eyes narrowing. "You might think you're ready, but I guarantee you're not ready to work together as a team. Josh?" He turned his attention to the quietest member of the group. "What about you? You've been awfully quiet, and we get no social clues from that faceless mask."
Josh was busy reading through the new quest and flavor text; it seemed the System was gaining a rather tricky personality, to put it nicely. He would have to check out the previous quest reward, the Quest Store when he was alone and not in a meeting.
Josh hesitated, feeling the weight of their stares while mentally closing the System interface. He didn't want them to know about all his abilities, like shapeshifting and monstrous form, so he would have to appear weak. "Honestly, I'm glad we're doing this," he admitted. "I mean, yeah, I have powers now, but I was a regular guy a week ago. It's overwhelming sometimes—being thrown into a world like this and expected to measure up. I learned boxing from my Grandpa, which is the extent of my combat experience. I just... I want to be prepared, you know? I don't want to let anyone down."
Falcon nodded approvingly. "Exactly. That kind of humility will save your life out there." He turned back to the rest of the team. "You all need to understand something. Powers don't make you invincible. And out there? If you can't work together, you're not just a liability to yourselves but everyone else."
"Alright, fine," Vamp said, rolling her eyes. "What's your big plan to teach us?"
Sam's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Glad you asked. We're going to do a combat test. All of you… versus me."
The room went silent. The Blue Streak burst out laughing. "You're kidding, right? You're good, Falcon, but there's no way you're taking all of us down solo. These Hammerhead lasers aren't for show." patting his wrist mounted lasers
"Wanna bet?" Sam replied, his tone deadly serious.
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The team assembled in a spacious arena in the training facility, equipped with holographic projectors and reinforced walls. Sam stood at one end, his EXO-7 Falcon suit gleaming under the bright lights.
"Rules are simple," he said. "You work together to take me down. No holding back."
Blue Streak shot forward first, his rocket skates blazing as he zipped around the room, creating a motion blur of blue. "Let's see you keep up with this!" he taunted.
Sam didn't flinch. With a calculated flick of his wrist, his wing extended, knocking Blue Streak off balance and sending him skidding into a padded wall. He assessed Blue Streak's movements in an instant, recognizing the lack of coordination in his speed. "Speed without control is just chaos," he called out, his tone measured, a subtle lesson embedded in his words.
Marvel Man followed up, firing energy blasts from his gauntlets. Sam used his wings as a shield, deflecting the shots and quickly closing the distance. A well-placed kick sent Marvel Man sprawling.
Texas Twister summoned a gust of wind to trap Sam in a vortex. But Sam's jetpack propelled him upward, and he dove down with precision, using the wind's momentum against its creator. Texas Twister hit the ground hard, groaning.
Vamp was next, her movements a blur as she closed in for hand-to-hand combat. Her strikes were fast and precise, but Sam's experience showed as he countered her every move, finally pinning her with a joint lock.
Josh watched in awe as Sam systematically dismantled the team, each move precise and calculated, like a chess master three steps ahead of everyone else. Josh's pulse quickened, a mix of admiration and nervousness flooding him. When it was finally his turn, he hesitated, his heart pounding.
"Uh, do I even try?" he asked, half-joking, though the tightness in his voice betrayed his doubt.
Sam chuckled, his confidence unwavering. "Give it your best shot, G-Man."
Josh lunged forward, Steering himself, his enhanced strength and agility propelling him faster than anticipated. The rush of air against his skin and the surge of energy through his muscles were exhilarating, but his mind raced to keep up. "Focus, Josh. Don't embarrass yourself," he thought. He managed to land a blow against Sam's wing bending the metal rendering the wing inoperable, the force vibrating up his arm and giving him a fleeting sense of accomplishment.
But Sam's response was immediate and decisive. With practiced ease, he sidestepped, using Josh's momentum against him. Before Josh could recover, he found himself pinned to the ground, the cold floor pressing against his back as Sam's grip held firm.
"Not bad," Sam said, his tone almost encouraging. "But you've got to think beyond the first move."
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After the session, the team regrouped, nursing their bruised egos and bodies. Sam stood in front of them, his expression firm but not unkind.
"You see now why this is important?" he asked. "Each of you is strong in your own way, but you're not unstoppable. And if you can't work together, you're not a team—you're a disaster waiting to happen."
The group exchanged reluctant nods, their earlier arrogance replaced with a newfound respect for their leader.
"Training starts tomorrow," Sam said. "You will stay in-house until I decide we are ready."
Josh couldn't help but smile. Being taught by a living legend before anyone knows about them has a certain charm. Hopefully, Gwen isn't mad about being stuck with Geiko for a few days. Do spies get to phone home to say they were stuck in the office?
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Meanwhile, in Senator Eugene Stivak's Office...
The room was a study of quiet luxury and menace. Dimly lit by a single desk lamp, shadows danced across walls lined with towering bookshelves. A faint scent of leather and cigars hung in the air, mixing with the warmth of aged whiskey. The polished mahogany desk reflected the light from a glass of amber liquid cradled in Senator Stivak's hand. He swirled the drink idly, his gaze fixed on the city skyline visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The lavishly decorated office was dimly lit, with the faint hum of a white noise generator masking any sounds from outside. Senator Eugene Stivak sat behind a polished mahogany desk, swirling the glass of amber liquid as he listened to the man reporting along with another man seated across from him. The shadows obscured the man's features, but his tone carried a cold confidence.
"The Super Agent Program is proceeding as planned," a man reported from a hidden speaker, his voice low and measured. "Our operatives are in position. The first will retrieve the schematics and control protocols for S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Helicarriers. The second will handle any complications to the plans."
Stivak smirked, leaning back in his chair. "S.H.I.E.L.D.'s arrogance is their greatest weakness. To think they'd allow my recommendation to shape their precious program."
The man across from him nodded. "Their trust in you has paid dividends. Our buyers at HYDRA are already preparing to bid for the Helicarrier plans. With control of the fleet, they'll have leverage over half the world's governments. They have promised energy weapons for our Gangs."
Stivak's expression darkened slightly. "And what about HYDRA's report on Captain America? The last thing we need is a relic from the past rallying S.H.I.E.L.D. and their allies. He's a symbol and rallying cry—more dangerous alive than dead."
"Our second operative is more than capable of handling him," the man assured. "We've learned that S.H.I.E.L.D. has located him and is in the process of unfreezing him. By the time he awakens, it'll be too late."
The Senator's smirk returned. "Good. We've invested too much into this operation to tolerate any interference. Ensure both objectives are met. The success of this program will solidify our influence."
" With the Corporation's funding, HYDRA weapons and political pressure, you will have all the New York Gangs under your thumb, Kingpin. The Corporation is considering making you the Mayor in the next election." The Two men saluted with their respective drinks. "Cheers to The Corporation."
Kingpin stood, adjusting his coat. "Consider it done, Senator. The Corporation plans' will proceed without a hitch. Mayor Kingpin does have a certain ring to it."
As the man exited, Stivak took a long sip from his glass, staring at the city skyline. "Two operatives," he murmured to himself. "One to steal S.H.I.E.L.D.'s future and another to bury its past. Perfect."
The faint laughter from the office's hidden speakers echoed, but the Senator paid it no mind. His focus was already on the power and money they were about to seize.