Hephaestus’ Safe House (somewhere in Europe)

"Wonderful! We’re on schedule, then. Ladies and gentlemen, please acquaint yourselves with each other as you unload the vehicles; we’ll be working in tight quarters on a strict timetable so you’ll need to be familiar with your capabilities, and fast. Avatar, if you’ll follow me, I’ve got some things I need to show you." Equinox grabbed his coat and Avatar followed Equinox into the house. They worked their way to the kitchen, where Equinox poured himself a glass of water.

"It’s an ambitious plan," Avatar said, leaning against the bar. He tapped his ring on the countertop. It was identical to Equinox’s gold ring, but for two diamonds on either side of the garnet. "Things are going to have to go precisely as planned, and that’s going to take a bit of luck."

"‘Luck is the residue of design, and serendipity the effect of awareness,’" Equinox quoted. He handed Avatar a folder, who thumbed through it while they talked.

"Who said that?"

Equinox smiled. "Whispering Knife, although I seem to recall the quote being associated with an ancient Sumerian priest-king we studied."

"Speaking of which, he gives his regards. He wanted me to let you know your staff is well-trained and responsive. I believe he used the phrase, ‘the best he’s seen since summary executions were outlawed’. You don’t think his story is true, do you?"

"Both of us have seen enough in our time to realize that it’s certainly possible, even if improbable."

"True enough." Avatar sighed. "Brandon, I need you to be frank with me. Do you think this is going to work? Will this be worth it?"

Equinox looked Avatar in the eye. "We have to do something. Ever since the Shop broke away, we’ve been responsive, jumping to their every beck and call. It’s about time they started dancing to our tune. The Foundation’s been sitting on their hands for too long and they’ve been holding us back. It’s time someone took action. It’s time the Shop understood what Commonwealth justice looks like, if it means we have to step around or over the Foundation to make it happen."

"Careful, that borders on treason. You’re not suggesting that we break away, too?"

"Of course not, but I will say that the Foundation is sometimes more of a liability than an asset." Avatar frowned. "Look, you know full well if they’d allowed your Accusers to take the gloves off a long time ago this Shop thing would be a past issue."

"We Accusers enforce law. It is up to others to set policy."

"Pshaw. Laws are designed to protect the weak and strengthen the strong. Policy is a matter of perception and interpretation, and that’s what you manipulate every day. It’s a matter of habit. It’s in your blood."

"…"Avatar composed his thoughts, but couldn’t come up with a response. "So what happens next?"

"Who knows the plan?"

"Only you and me. I was able to convince Chance to loan us his agents by calling in a favor and bending the facts a little. He’s been very grateful for all my assistance in helping him reestablish his ties with the Foundation, but I had to tell him I suspected some of his ‘otherworldly’ influence. I didn’t tell him the whole story."

"That’s fine. The fewer people know of this, the better. Did Akuma check out?"

"He did, and he did not inform his people -- that I can tell. You can rest assured he’s taking notes, though."

"Aren’t we all?"

Avatar smirked but said nothing, returning the folder.

"Thanks. I’ll start assigning targets immediately."

"I’ll head back to Whispering Knife. Anything I need to take back to the higher-ups?"

"No, but you should tell the Foundry that their new device has some problems against Chem’d individuals."

"Will do. I suspect there’s some subtle differences in brain chemistry but that’s for them to figure out."

Equinox nodded, and set the glass down, and they headed back to the garage.

"Now I’m even more confused, considering what Equinox just showed us," Hephaestus was saying.

"What’s that?" Koschei asked. "What did he show you?"

"I showed them this," Equinox said as he held up a folder. Avatar followed closely behind him as they returned to the garage. "I’m betting you’re all confused, given your diverse talents."

There were nods of agreement, and Trinity stepped forward. "Yeah boss, even I’m having trouble following your logic this time."

"It’s okay, Trin. I’ve had to be especially tight-lipped on this one, and for good reason. As of now, you’re all sworn to the highest levels of secrecy on this mission. If all goes well, you’ll be able to tell your kids you were on the mission team that helped kill Villian X."

"I take that back, Equinox. They’re not made of brass, they’re titanium. Indestructible, immutable, indescribable. What’s your plan, ‘cause I know it’s gonna be good?" Mouthymerc asked.

"As we progress through each stage of the mission, I’ll give you more detail. Suffice it to say we’re on a timetable and each of you has an important role in the success of the mission. As of this moment, you are sworn to Firestorm secrecy protocols – no one outside of the mission team is to know what you’ll know. Avatar will be close at hand to make sure this happens."

"What’s in the folder?" Koschei asked with a bit of resentment in her voice. Her eyes flicked to Avatar occasionally, as did everyone else’s.

Equinox started passing out a stapled packet of paper to everyone present. "This is indisputable evidence that the Shop has been operating under our noses for some time – in Paris, no less. Fractal Intelligence suspected the Shop has had a major operation in Europe for a while and their analysts believed it was only a matter of time before a stray transmission would reveal their location. As it turns out, a P.E.R.I.L. surveillance peon intercepted that transmission, and this is the copy."

"Nice," Mouthymerc said and he grinned. "So why haven’t we nuked them yet?"

"All in due time. There’s preparations to be made, and that’s where you guys come in." Everyone pulled up a chair and the agents got down to the serious business of planning how to kill one of their most dangerous enemies in a very public manner, yet hide it from the majority of the world.