Parking Garage in NYC, Brooklyn
Wearing his all-black combat suit Steve Rogers is hidden behind a concrete pillar. Beside her husband is Natasha wearing a dark color suit having dual batons out. Yet has a hood up obscuring Romanoff's face rather than leaving Natasha’s identity completely exposed.
A use Steve has copied when beginning more direct vigilante work is something Peter pointed out. Given it may be public knowledge yet better if word on the street is not Captain America and Black Widow are stopping local crime given the kind of escalation it may have on innocent people. Has a mental effect for some fear to criminals you’re facing if you appear as something less than human. Of course, somewhat debatable Steve notes on remaining undetected for people not figuring out it is Natasha and him.
For example, an eight-man group of drug dealers up head are around a couple of cars while waiting for the South Americans who smuggle drugs through Mexico, to arrive. Only Spider-Man is in the process of interrupting their night in Hell’s Kitchen District. Now it’s their turn, not that Steve cares given selling drugs to teenagers, and a ten-year-old nearly died of an overdose earlier this week.
Running forward while keeping the darkness Steve rapidly moves forward grabbing two men with each hand body slamming them into the ground rendering both unconscious. Getting up for dodging a punch Nomad responds by punching the man in his face breaking his jaw, and nose sending him to the floor. The fourth goon attempts to pull out his handgun yet doesn’t get the chance as Black Widow fires one of her taser darts into his body rendering the man out cold.
Landing amidst the thugs Natasha pulls out two stun batons for engaging in combat while Steve takes the rest on using nothing but his combat skills. Needless to say, in a matter of minutes four drug dealers are all joining their partners from having broken bones, which some may never heal right either, and one man has his knife impaled into his chest by Rogers.
“Well, that was a nice little work out” Natasha quips.
“Indeed, let’s just hope the NYPD keeps them in jail” Steve replies.
Suddenly hearing a cell phone goes off in a nearby pocket Nomad and Black Widow remove the man’s device. Quickly seeing a message from an unknown caller stating job will be complete results in them glancing between each other before Natasha pulls out a baton. Turning on the stun option, Natasha leans down hitting the man’s chest sending a jolt through his body to shock Saxon into consciousness.
“Hello, Samuel Saxon, we have questions for you,” Natasha says.
“Like I’m going to be intimated by the first Captain America and his girlfriend. Some of us out here may be fooled but we’re not all idiots even despite your new careers for being concerned about these streets” Saxon says.
“You can answer our questions, or this won’t go well for you” Steve replies.
“Oh, please you’re a joke. You have an image to maintain, you won’t do a thing to me. You’re a boy scout” Saxon mocks.
Crouching down Nomad grabs a discarded knife putting the blade into Saxon’s left thigh before, slowly bringing it down causing Samuel to yell painfully. Nearly all of Steve’s facial features are emotionless.
“I’m not dressed as Captain America here first, and I’ve witnessed my fair share of rough when serving in the SSR. I know what kills or hurts” Steve informs while pulling the knife down a bit “Your move.”
Gasping in pain “Okay, okay. We were sending an individual to kill Detectives Stan Carter and Jean DeWolff for investigating us” Saxon says.
“Whose we?” Natasha asks.
“I can’t…” Saxon begins yet when Nomad grips the knife tighter “Alright, we hired mercenaries Anton Miguel Rodriguez and Sinthea Shmidt.”
“Where are you planning on killing Carter, and DeWolff?” Steve inquiries.
“At a red light, make it look like a robbery gone wrong in lower Manhattan. Now I’ve told you everything, please” Saxon says.
“Perhaps you have but we’re not letting you go” Natasha replies.
“You’ve given drugs to kids, and disrespect everything that badge you're supposed to uphold, stands for” Steve growls.
Not even bothering to remove the knife Nomad kicks Saxon in his face breaking the man’s jaw, nose, and other facial bones.
Tapping on an earpiece “Spider-Man you there?” Natasha asks while grabbing Saxon’s phone.
“Yeah, took down the drug dealers, but an oil tanker wrecked into three cars on the George Washington bridge. An idiot driver on booze, goodness I hate those clowns” Peter says “Headed there now.”
“Over. Cat you available?” Steve inquiries.
“Nope. Literally in a chase with Liz Toomes who’s going to regret ripping me off and stealing from families attempting to put food on the table. And… looks like has fled into the subway” Felicia says “Great.”
“Well looks like we are on our own for getting to the detectives. Let’s just hope we can cross over the bridges quick enough” Steve says.
“Hacked into the detective’s cellphones for locations,” Natasha replies pocketing Saxon’s phone.
“Let’s move,” Steve says.
Black Widow and Nomad rapidly venture through the garage to their motorcycles.
Stoplight – Midtown
Inside a car, both NYPD detectives glance at each other in concern when the entire vehicle shuts down, and looking around notice how the street seems vacant. Well, emptier than usual. Carter glances to see one male and female, in plain clothes emerge from the darkness while Jean causally reaches for unholstering her weapon. As Stan follows both notice their phones are lifeless too.
Suddenly a bullet hits the round EMP device Anton Miguel Rodriguez is holding causing Rodriguez with Sinthea Shmidt to glance up toward a nearby fire escape. Both watch as Nomad and Black Widow leap onto the ground rapidly moving their focus onto the vigilantes. Sinthea pulling out dual handguns starts firing towards Nomad who manages to expertly avoid the gunfire while rapidly making his way forward. Grabbing Sinthea’s arms to twist until forcing her to drop the guns Steve kicks her in the chest sending the woman downwards.
“Oh, I hold up there you two,” Anton says pulling open his vest to reveal a mix of wires with two blue liquid vials “Only way to stop us is killing and we all know you heroes don’t have the guts such dirty jobs. Meaning you guys won’t stop us from setting this off and ridding of all our problems tonight.”
Sinthea opens her vest as well to reveal a similar device while husband and wife exchange a grim look. Instantly Natasha pulling out a handgun fires a bullet right between Anaton’s eyes causing the man drop fall downwards lifeless while Steve crouches down, placing his hands on either side of Sinthea’s eyes now afraid yet remains reaching for the device.
“I’m sorry,” Steve says.
With a quick jerk of his hands, Steve breaks Sinthea’s neck using his hands before standing up exhaling. Not the first time has killed, but just been a while as after all has shed blood. Has always found the articles from newspapers in the 40s to now including social media posts saying how Captain America never killed, or making him a moral, boy scout paragon of virtue is ridiculous. Because Steve knows does not live in DC comics but in this world.
Pushing those thoughts away Nomad alongside Black Widow head for the car. Gently knocking on a door window before removing lock picks opens Romanoff it. Within moments Carter alongside DeWolff is pleased by the help. After all are some of the few who do support the vigilantes existing in New York despite fellow officers not liking rule breakers, others being on the take or higher-ups being uneasy.
Given there is no oversight committee, no control like how the Accords tried to do regarding Avengers. Those in power are fine with heroes in public saving them from aliens. However, start messing with their order using money and influence to escape consequences while making others suffer under their boots, they get nervous. Since vigilantes represent responsibility, which is always scary, and a very baseline threat of pain if you cross certain lines.
“Thank you both,” Carter says.
“Yes, thanks. We’ll take all we can get. Just random jerks looking for fun or something more direct?” Jean adds.
“Detective Carter and you were targeted by Samuel Saxon alongside the other Maggia drug dealers, mam. Currently awaiting jail with EMS needed” Steve says.
“Good, I hope they are crippled or dead. At least you guys get stuff done unlike useless Avengers happy up in a pampered high tower” Carter mutters.
Quietly Steve and Natasha wince for a reminder regarding, at times, a divide between Avengers with how people on the streets see differently. Like saving from aliens is fine but everyday people are more concerned about getting mugged or car wrecks. Still, as Peter said, is wouldn’t want most Avengers them helping out on grounded issues when a roster consists of Hulk, Thor, Ant-Man or even Iron Man is like taking a wrecking ball to nail in a wall for pigeon coups.
“Stan,” Jean says warningly.
“Here,” Natasha says handing Saxon’s unneeded phone to DeWolf “This still works.”
“Thanks” Jean replies.
“You’re welcome,” Steve says.
“Where are these Maggia guys located?” Carter asks.
“At the Quesada & Wells parking garage in Brooklyn. Along with one in Hell’s Kitchen,” Steve says.
“The one run by that construction company who scammed a lot of people out of money and is now mostly known for broken dreams? Huh, that’s ironic for a bunch of scum bags” Carter says.
“Not that alarming, hardly the first time those garages have been used for dirtbags like the Maggia,” Jean says.
“Got the tanker issues handled, thankfully no casualties. But people needing EMS, one airlifted out. Hope they make it. And the drunk driver will be needing casts for his hands after I got done. Even if the courts let him out, he’ll remember” Peter says, “Oh Cat took down Liz like I knew she would.”
“Ah sweetie you say the nicest things” Felicia teases.
“Good, we’ve got detectives DeWolf and Carter recused,” Steve says.
“Splendid, signing off for now. Going to do a patrol route. If you need help as always com me” Peter replies.
“Copy and same” Natasha adds.
“Don’t worry I’ll keep an eye on our spider” Felicia says.
“Just don’t get distracted like last time,” Steve says.
“Hey, nothing was going on at the moment. Never mind this coming from the guy whose partner has a very nice skin-tight suit, with a figure to match? But sure, you’ve never been distracted either” Felicia quips.
Exhaling “Call if you need us,” Steve says.
Quietly Natasha has an amused look on her face at the banter while both detectives look semi bewildered but decide not worth pressing.
“See you around and good luck out there,” Steve says.
Carter and DeWolf nod while hearing sirens in the distance, and smoke coming from somewhere a few blocks away turn to look. Yet when glancing back find the vigilantes have disappeared.
