16854/Briefing

Briefing
Date of Scene:	10 January 2024
Location:	Ready Room: Triskelion
Synopsis:	Fury has a quick meeting specifically for introductions. What one reads in files is one thing; in person is something completely different.
Cast of Characters:	Nick Fury, Nikolas Kamarov, Natasha Romanoff, Richard Stadler, Atrice Duckstein, Cole Cash, James Barnes, Johnny Storm, Darcy Lewis, Kenesha, Jack Nolan

---

Nick Fury has posed:
The Ready Room. It's a familiar room for field agents; most team briefings and debriefings happen here. It's secure, both physically and technologically, so clearance level information remains intact. The center table around which are several chairs has a tray of bagels with the requisite tubs of cream cheese and butter, with knives placed strategically. Also, a pitcher of water with glasses is set just beside it.

As for the reason for the gathering? This meeting is the beginning of weekly briefings, intended for communication cross groups, with the express purpose to keep people apprised of basic mission information so the number of mission interferences due to 'friendlies' goes //down//. There are a number of security levels within the meeting, and as such?

"This is a general informational meeting. There will be no specifics, which includes timing and location of operations. Some things are still 'need to know'."

Nick Fury, Director of SHIELD, is seated at the head of the table, leaning back in his chair, his manner and mien all business. He's dressed all in black; black shirt, black cargo pants and a pair of well-worn boots that finish off the tableau. His expression is no-nonsense; there are no 'tells' coming from the man's face as his steely gaze moves from person to person, not lingering on any one.

"What I do want from you when it is your time to speak is your name, your level, your MoS and base specialization. Some of you I know well from working with you, some of you from your files. Some of you need no introduction at all, and you know who you are. But, this isn't about me, it's about your colleagues, and exactly how you can help them." The Director leans forward in his seat now, elbows leaning on the table, his tones low, "There's a lot of shit out there still; magic, space aliens, and those on the front lines need to know that you at least understand and be ready to have their sixes. We can't //rely// on others outside the agency to get it done."

Nikolas Kamarov has posed:
Nikolas Kamarov is not happy.
Nikolas Kamarov is not pleased.
Nikolas Kamorov sits in the back stewing.
Nikolas Kamorov is glittered.
"Nikolas Kamarov, recruit? I specialize in doing the things you need done that others won't." Nikolas says not standing. His Russian accent easily carrying the room.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Well, this is going to be interesting. Natasha settles in her normal space. A little closer to Fury than most might be, but in a position where she has clear line of sight to everyone. Reading all expressions, watching cleanly. She is here in her capacity as Fury's hound. Watching. Protecting. If need be ready to strike and to attack for any that might need a reminder. When it's her turn to speak, her tone is cmopletely neutral, without any sort of accent. Almost like a vocoder was speaking. She's not relaxed at all, but at formal attention and watching everything that goes on.

"Natasha Romanova, Senior Agent. Current operative with the Avengers and special operations." Aka troubleshooters.

Richard Stadler has posed:
     Telepresence was sometimes an option for meetings like this, but Stadler certainly wasn't going to begrudge the need to get a number of people in the same room together, talking face to face. Besides, with the amount of secrets people like this dealt with, removing wires from the equation, no matter how well encrypted, was a smart move.

So it meant timing the right subways and taking the shuttle bus in, sitting down in the midst of some... glittered individuals. He manages a small swallow of water before it runs over to him.

"Folks. My name's Richard Stadler. I'm a consultant here, specializing in life sciences and biology, and kinetic operations involving the same."

A quick, tight nod to those fellow scientists he's met. Perhaps a bit too close to the vest, but these were spies.

Atrice Duckstein has posed:
Ducky is here. And she's sitting as far down the table as one does without being rude. The pale woman is taking notes without interruption. Because Broom would want to know what was up and he couldn't be bothered to actually attend a meeting! Her mismatched gaze gives a look around to those that speak and when it is her turn the BPRDer gives a dip of her head, "Field Agent Atrice Duckstein, most call me Ducky. Level 4. My MoS is Mortuary Sciences. I specialize in Ghosts and Death." she states. Short, sweet and to the point.

Cole Cash has posed:
"Cole Cash," says the blond man that managed to sit down at the back of the classroom, despite this room never have been used as a classroom. "I got just got my sorry ass dragged here to be part of re-organized Stormwatch team, and someone gave me the senior agent rank, go fig. I have a story of service in the army, the C.I.A., the I.O. and the D.E.O. and they as it happens, I can barely talk about anything of it without getting shot. I know some of you..." he glances around, lopsided smile.

"I might have shot some of you once or twice, but it wasn't personal, promise. Mostly I am a marksman, but I can do most of the usual spying things. Infiltration, investigation, tracking, the ninja stuff..." he handwaves.

James Barnes has posed:
    In one corner of the room lurks -- and yes, what he is doing definitely qualifies as lurking -- the Winter Soldier. Like Fury, he's dressed in all black, though on appearances it's less combat-ready gear than the Director; moreso the nondescript all-black of someone purposefully intending to disappear into the background. Jacket, pants, shirt, boots, with the only thing of note being the singular black glove on the left hand. It's as close to a SHIELD uniform that Bucky will ever get.

    His affectation is minimal, but subtly his attention does shift to each person as they introduce themselves. There's a certain sense of sizing up as he does so, which is less intentionally aggitational as it is a basic autonomous function, at this point.

    Notably, he does not Introduce Himself.

Johnny Storm has posed:
*ffffft* *pop*

The large bubblegum bubble that Johnny Storm just blew pops and nearly explodes in his face, but he recovers quickly enough to get the gum back into his mouth and chews it off into the corner of his mouth. Dressed in the blues and greys of the Fantastic Four standard, he's staring at his phone. He presses a button on the side of it. There's a glance at his phone. He frowns and gives it a little shake. Another frown.

And then a smirk. Oh! His turn to speak!

"Johnny Storm. How you do? Consultant, Liaison to the Fantastic Four, prettty fantastic myself. Resident match-stick, air support and general troublshooter." A pause and a glance around.

"Anyone got a USB-C charger? Forgot to charge my phone before I left the Plaza." He looks around to the left. "No?" To the right. "No?"

And then he snaps his fingers, "I get it!" he points at Artice. "Duckstein, like Frankenstein! That's awesome!" he calls out to her. She gets a tip of his fingers in a salute.

And that is when his eyes meet Nick's, and for some reason, he just runs cold and swallows. Clearing his throat, he offers quickly and more quietly. "I'll just use a note pad and pen, thanks!" grabbing said items from the table to sink into his seat next to Kenesha. "Tough crowd." he comments quietly to her.

He may have swallowed his gum a few moments ago.

Darcy Lewis has posed:
A field agent, Darcy is not!

All the same, this doesn't mean that she's never spent time in the field. In fact, it's an all-too recurring problem that she gets dragged out of the lab and onto the front lines. Or sometimes, the lab has a berserk Brood lady in it, so being in the lab isn't all that safe. Or there was the time she almost got blown up in the cafeteria. Or shot at by a space robot at the UN (thanks for the save, Jane!).

Point is, uh, there's no I in SHIELD (she's a STEM major, don't ask her to spell) and teamwork makes the dream work, but it also means putting your neck out there with your more murderously-capable colleagues, sometimes.

When it gets around to her, she stands up. "Special Agent Darcy Lewis, S.W.O.R.D. PhD in Astrophysics, specializing in quantum mechanics and particle physics. My current portfolio includes our inter-agency near-Earth monitoring program, as well as research and analysis on recovered extraterrestrial technology. For the latter, I also head Operation WATCHFUL, which is a project using AI to help track the proliferation of advanced tech - ie Russians with Brood bioweapons, HYDRA guys with Shi'ar guns, that kind of thing." Those are both real examples, unfortunately!

Kenesha has posed:
Kenesha is seated at the table, stirring one of those little wooden sticks around into a cup of tea, glancing around at the people gathered before Furty enters to start the briefing. She's blowing the steam lightlya way from her cup for a sip.

"Dr. Kenesha Jones. Consultant. I currently hold 18 Doctorates, 6 Master's... but my specialty here tends to be in advanced or alien technology, and magical items." She sips from her tea and glances towards a few familiar faces.

She's dressed like she's Amelia Earhart meets Indiana Jones, with a dash of Alan Quartermain thrown in for good measure. Reaching into her satchel, she withdraws a charge and hands it over to Johnny with a faint quirk of a smile. Always prepared, it would seem!

Jack Nolan has posed:
Having to duck to get into nearly every room in the Triskelion that wasn't a hangar is something Jack has gotten used to over the last few years. Still, there's more than a few metal door frames that are dented. He does remember to duck his way into the Ready Room, stepping out of the way of the door after managing to fit himself through it. Looking at all the chairs around the table, he opts to stand. No sense making one of the bean counters mad because he broke another chair. When his turn comes around, he rumbles faintly before speaking up.

"Jack Nolan. Agent. My MoS is Special Operations. Currently I am not an active field agent, for..Obvious reasons. So I have begun to work in an 'advisory' role during operations that need it." He makes the air quotes motion with two of his big claws. It probably looks silly.

Nick Fury has posed:
"Kamarov, I'll just say that that's pretty much what everyone in this room does." Fury's single-eyed gaze is leveled on the Russian. "At least you're in the right place." Does he even have to remind the recruit that it's only done on his orders? Well, that and his trusted Field Agents.

Natasha is one of those, actually, one of his //trusted// Field Agents. One that the Director didn't think there was a need for introduction. The usually silent, ever watching Black Widow is known, at least by reputation and whispers, around SHIELD. Her presence, manner and mien should speak volumes as to her relationship with Fury.

Stadler's introduction is perfect, and gets a quick acknowledging nod, "Stadler. Remind me later to talk with you."

As Ducky offers up her introduction, Fury nods again in her direction, adding, "Boys and girls, this is someone you're going to get to know in your career here." Remember when he'd said something about magic and the like? "Use her knowledge. It might get you out of the deep end."

That 'someone' to whom Cole refers is //probably// the director himself, at least opening up positions to fill within the ranks in different departments. People do retire from SHIELD, after all. The benefits are good!

Bucky in the corner there probably doesn't need an introduction either, but then again, his existance isn't the most .. celebrated either. Not like Captain America's. Nick pulls his head up just a little, and talks to the air, but obviously directed towards the quiet Winter Soldier. "Time to participate. These people are gonna be around for a little while. You may have to rely on one of them." In other words? Play. Nice.

The gum is absolutely distracting, and the single eye narrows as the bubble pops. The theatrics move on, and as Johnny becomes a little more subdued, Nick offers softly, "You do that." Pen and paper it is!

Darcy's introduction has his attention coming around. There is a certain level of pride in his Science section; they're the back line and sometimes front line that needs to be protected and supported at all times. "Any of you see this woman? Or any in the Science and R&D? You lay it out for them. Do anything in your power that they can complete their mission." Kenesha's own introduction has the Director underlining, "Her too."

It's Jack's arrival that brings Nick around to finish this first round of introductions. "Agent Nolan. Thanks for coming." It is difficult, after all, when one is a giant rock dino! "I expect that your expertise will be utilized further in the coming year."

After everyone speaks, all have given their introduction and basic CV, Nick leans back in his seat once more. "I want you all to look around this room. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, will have a mission in the next month in order to further world... status quo." Peace? Well, he's not a dreamer. "Be it looking out into space, or dealing with visitors to our world, old and new, or heading to hot spots, everyone will be deployed in some manner. I suggest you start making contacts if you haven't already. The expertise in this room is like no other in this world, and I am not exagerating."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
That has Natasha giving a low nod as she goes to mentally review recent planetary incidents in the last few months. Putting them through her routine of analysis to see which ones are pressing neough to have the organization's full attention, what ones will be left to heroic organizations, what one the organization will render aid on.. There are always a great many going on that need to be prioritized, sorted, and given what precious resources SHIELD can triage to any given circumstance.

And the world's status quo is always treading water, often barely that. That's what she's seen in the decades of her life - with the others having no doubt seen much, much worse. Her perspective is merely from one planet. Not other times, not other places.. And many in the room have had life far, far worse in places far, far more wretched than she. So Natasha is quiet while nodding at the others in turn as they were introduced.

Johnny Storm has posed:
It's the Fantastic Four. Johnny and the others save the world every week (allegedly) and have for sometime. The elder hero of the room, a member of the first family of heros, he glances up and waves the pen. "Nice to meet you all." Scribbling more notes, probably taking down details of everyone's information.

And doodling a rock dinosaur in the margins.

"Glad to have the help. I'll make sure that Sue knows as well." Why not Reed? Because Johnny knows that Sue will make sure Reed understands the information.

Atrice Duckstein has posed:
Ducky gives a smile when Director Fury points her out and she gives a little wave to folks, "Feel free to come and find any of us if you need help with anything abnormal...or just need Hellboy to knock something over." she states. There is a bit of a laugh at Johnny's note of her name, "Sort of like that, yes. Though I'm definitely not going to be robbing graves to make a man." she muses to that.

Then she quiets again.

Jack Nolan has posed:
The Director gets a nod in response, listening to all the others as they give their various roles. He's always grateful for the people who run the back end stuff, because he'd have a hell of a time getting anything done without Science and Intelligence. Even if he WAS mildly annoyed at being poked and prodded (and drilled into with a laser) by Science after he had transformed. Yearly physicals have also become an ordeal.

A glance over at Johnny though as he notices the scribbling. Jack bets he's already trying to figure out some way to get him and The Thing to punch each other. Not that he hasn't wondered who'd come out on top in that one himself..

Cole Cash has posed:
This would be when Cole goes to poke Kenesha in the ribs for being such a nerd, but there is a rocky dinosaur in the room that deserves a second glance. Truth is he has been weirder, but not many times, and not in the meeting room of a secret agency.

Oh, but the important stuff, "I also heard people here takes poker seriously. Almost no one else does nowadays. I am looking for ward for that part."

Nikolas Kamarov has posed:
Nikolas Kamarov quirks a brow towards Nick his glittered covered face glinting in the light offered by the room. He gives a curt nod to the most senior of agents before sitting back into his seat his arms crossing over his chest. He isn't necessarily to do what he is told always. Nikolas did spend 2 years in the gulag after certain events in Russia after all.

Richard Stadler has posed:
     Stadler leans back in his chair just a bit, acknowledging the statement given. "Certainly, sir. Doesn't sound like 'come to Jesus' talk, at least." Lord, though if there was a good way for a man to stay humble in his late 40s, this room had to be it. Did one of them say that had 18 doctorates? The worst part was he wasn't going to question the truth of it; he'd met plenty of people here already who would rival Einstein, and that wasn't including the woman from SWORD who seemed to have endless gadgets and solutions for problems.

By far, though, the most visually interesting thing in the room was the large dinosaur sitting in a chair in front of them. He just had to stare for a few seconds to wrap his head around it.

Darcy Lewis has posed:
After she's given her intro, Darcy sits back down, letting the others give their own introductions, and taking a note here or there on the tablet computer she's brought along when people who she doesn't know get their turns. She definitely didn't know they had a dinosaur. At least, not one on the payroll. Sauron's time in the confinement here probably doesn't count! Ultimately, she resumes focus on Director Fury when he takes up his speech again.

Tap tap tap.

As for getting missions? Mention of it has the woman glancing down at the tablet again. She has a /backlog/. And there are numerous reports to go with it, both from completed operations and things currently in-progress. But hey, what's one more on the pile? If she's bothered, she doesn't voice it! Her modes are basically chatty AF and utterly silent, and this is option #2.

Kenesha has posed:
Kenesha glances over to Cole and lifts a brow at him as if to dare him to do it, then lifts her cup for another sip of her tea. Comfortable in her abilities. The dinosaur in the room has her attention for a few moments, studying him carefully, but also quietly.

She doesn't take out anything, doesn't write anything down, but she does watch. Carefully, intently. Sip.

James Barnes has posed:
    Whether or not Bucky acknowledges what Fury has to say to him is a mystery. He just kind of no-sells it. His arms are folded over his chest, and aside for that lone signal of potential defensiveness, there's nothing else to read in his posture or his expression. Beyond that he chose to be present at this briefing.

    He's certainly not going to be the one to break the ice. In fact, rather than take this opportunity to have any meaningful eye contact with any of the several agents and/or consultants in the room that he has history with, he finds a comfortable point in the middle distance to stare down instead. Yeah. The middle of the table would absolutely feel threatened if it were perhaps some kind of shapeshifter in disguise.

Nick Fury has posed:
There is always something going on in the world, or in the universe for that matter. The comparitively recent events that SHIELD has been part of, been victim of, is proof of that. While 'normal' things happen around the world; coups, floods, famines and the like, not everything is generated by humanity. There's that fine line with mutants and aliens, both with good intentions and ill.

"The point of this is that you don't need to know everything. No one expects it. We have specialists, and when your lead Field Agent builds a team, he's got that in mind. What I'm giving you now are contacts." Why does the Director feel like he's talking to a bunch of academy students? These are the ones that are supposed to be the best and brightest. The little side conversations, the comments aren't given too much attention, though Kamarov sitting there with arms crossed does give off a 'vibe'. There's a side-eye to the man before he turns his full attention to Stadler. "No, no it's not. You'll know when it's a 'come to Jesus' meeting."

When.

"Are there any questions before I turn you all loose? If you don't, you're dismissed." There is a pause before the man in black rises from his seat. He's not leaving, no. Just.. more comfortable standing. "If the questions can't be asked in front of this crew, you can catch me one on one." There is a pause before he smiles, but it doesn't truly make it to that eye. "Make an appointment. I'll find a spot on my schedule."

Johnny Storm has posed:
Jotting a number down on a piece of paper, Johnny tears it out and passes it around Kenesha's back to tap Cole and hand it over. "Ben's phone number. He does a game once a month. Any invited, leave the guns and other..." A glance at Bucky, "...arms at the door. Contact him, he'll get you the deets on when and where."

After handing over the number, he pulls his hand back from around to his side to start to make notes again.

But with the meeting coming to the close, he shakes his head. "Nope, no questions for the meeting at large. I'm kosher."

Atrice Duckstein has posed:
Ducky is quietly continuing to take notes and things for posterity. Because she was not blessed with eidetic memory sadly. She is careful not to touch anything around her other than her things. It's almost OCD levels. But that's because she doesn't want to read any memories from objects in the middle of a meeting. That would be wild! "I don't have anything, Director." she states. Then she is quietly gathering her thoughts and composing them on the paper she's been writing on.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Well, this is new for Natasha. A 'get to know you' is something that's a bit of a surprise to her. Those that can pickup the very faint 'tells' in her behavior and know her well enough. They are however extreely subtle, and quickly smoothed over. Fury's not the type to do something to purely socialize, however. He doesn't have enough seconds in a day to be able to put some aside. So that means that there's something else gonig on.

She moves to fold her hands together up on the table. But also where she's clear if she needs to suddenly move for a quickdraw o fher sidearm. Paranoia's just been instilled in her too much that nowhere is safe.

Nikolas Kamarov has posed:
Nikolas Kamarov does give off that vibe. The stoic Russian vibe that is. The one still waiting for something to do. Having been assigned to SHIELD from the Russian government, he is waiting for work. When things are dismissed the former Olympic gymnast rises and strides out the door. As briefings go, it was what it was meant to do. Be brief. There will be other times to have long winded conversations about plans and stuff like that.

Cole Cash has posed:
Cole nods at Fury. At least the briefing was quick. He did come a bit like a welcome for academy students, but he figures the young ones here needed it. Cole? He always welcomes people. He finds it a better strategy than semi-visible paranoia or general grumpiness. This is his poker face.

He glances at Bucky and Winter. Mentally classifying them as poor poker players. And takes Johnny's car with a grin. "Good to know. Thanks man."

Darcy Lewis has posed:
"Everything's in my reports," is Darcy's version of 'nothing to add.' It's a distinctly different answer, of course, very much -not- the same in meaning as 'no questions' or 'no concerns.' She has many, many concerns! Xanax-requiring levels of concerns.

But a meeting is a meeting. You have them all the time at work, and not all of them need to be the end of days, as the Director confirms to Stadler. Even if a few of the agenda items might be possible extinction events. There's always something.

With people seemingly poised to clear out, she grabs the tablet and does make a move, but not to clear out instantly. Rather, she makes a line for Natasha. "Hey I had WATCHFUL ping the other day - no not the HYDRA thing - that was a little weird. Flagged some stuff internally, but when I went to look, it was over my clearance. One of them was a mission log of yours..."

Richard Stadler has posed:
     Oh, well. That was certainly ominous. Stadler certainly had heard the 'when' in that statement, but, well. There were pleanty of types of those sorts of meetings. Certainly that would count as one, right?

"No questions from me, Director, but I'm between trains at the moment; A little work I'd like to do in the rec area, but beyond that, I am available." He says, before standing up and giving a nod at those attending, gathering a case, at his chair, and heading for the door.

James Barnes has posed:
    At the dismissal, Bucky's stance shifts slightly. Now he's a little bit more upright, and his head turns so he can scout out the likelihood of a clear pathway to the door. No chance immediately without causing property damage and/or annoyance via pushing, so he waits. He's good at that, sniper's background and all.

    Though he does catch Johnny's look in his direction, and the associated comment. The Fantastic Four member gets only a bleak look and a dry, "It doesn't come off."

Jack Nolan has posed:
"No questions, Director." Replies Jack, turning around carefully, and giving Stadler a bit of a grin as he does.

"Hope I wasn't blocking your view too much."

He moves out of the way once he gets near the door to allow anyone else who needs to leave to go out before him. Easier than trying to fight his way through the door while people behind him wait.

Kenesha has posed:
Kenesha doesn't seem to have any questions, at least none that she'll voice, though Fury's suggestion to make an appointment for questions that aren't public has her quirking a faint smile. Apparently finding that amusing. Still, she doesn't seem inclined towards questions just now.

"I believe I'm alright for the moment. Thank you for pulling this together, though, Director." Glancing to Cole, she quirks that faint half-smile and murmurs, "We should catch up soon. It's been awhile." Then she's rising up from her seat and collecting her cup, turning to head out of the room.

Briefly pausing near Bucky, she'll mrumur something quietly, flicking a glance in his direction, then head out without a backwards glance.