The spy and the bounty hunter, Chapter 3

Asteroid M

"This is Asteroid M security. Unidentified Spacecraft, please identify yourself."

"This is Samus Aran. I'm here to deliver a bounty to Magneto."

"Hold on... identity of spacecraft confirmed. Patching you through to Magneto.

Magneto appeared on the holocommunicator. "Samus Aran... and Natasha Romanov. I take it you're not here to cause trouble?"

Natasha had locked horns on occasion with Magneto alongside the Avenger **** and SHIELD. On other occasions, she had fought alongside the Brotherhood. (She had a very... complicated relationship with Magneto's right hand, Mystique, and her group, the Sisterhood, as a result.) Magneto held no ill will toward her and had no intentions of provoking SHIELD, but he still didn't trust them.

"I'm only here because I have business with Miss Aran," Natasha assured Magneto. "SHIELD doesn't want trouble with the Brotherhood."

"Very well. You are welcome on Asteroid M for now... just know my people will be watching you."

The delivery and payment went smoothly. Natasha almost pitied Trask, knowing what happened to prisoners of the Brotherhood... almost. She thought of the pain and anguish they caused her lovers in the X-Alted Queendom. They'd caused similar devastation in Brotherhood space -- The galaxy woudn't miss Bolivar Trask.

SHIELD Spacecarrier

Fury plugged the holodrive into a computer and browsed its contents. As usual, Natasha had gathered valuable intel. "Good work, Nat. This should give us a better idea of what Doom and Luthor are up to. I would like to know you your friend here is, though."

"Samus Aran. Bounty Hunter," Samus introduced herself in a very business-like manner. "Your spy here says you have bounty hunter work that pays well."

"Straight to the point. I like that," Fury answered. "And yes, we do pay top credits to freelancers."

Fury knew all about Samus -- it was his job, after all, to keep tabs on the galaxy's best and most notorious. Working with the galaxy's top bounty hunter would have serious advantages for SHIELD. "Someone with your reputation would have her choice of contracts."

Samus browsed the contracts. She'd half-expected to see her archnemesis, Ridley, on the list -- she'd taken up so many contracts on the infamous space pirate leader it had almost become routine at this point. Every time she'd apparently kill him, he'd pop up a year or so later. Not that it mattered, Samus thought to herself. Whenever he pops up, she'd be there to put him down.

This time, though, he wasn't on the list. No, Ridley was still dead... for now. Samus decided to take the contract on Otto Octavius, a brilliant but insane scientist from the planet of Arachne. The Web Wardens of Arachne had succesfully thwarted his plans before, but time and time again, he had managed to evade capture. As a result, SHIELD had put a hefty price on his head.

Fury knew about the bounty hunter's successes in the past, but still felt a need to at least warn Samus about what she was getting herself into. "Huh. The Octopus. You know, we've had dozens of hunters try and bring him in. Nobody's come back. You better be sure about this..."

"I'll bring him in." Samus said confidently.

"All right then," Fury replied. "If anyone can get Octavius, it's the woman who took out the Mother Brain. Good luck, Samus."

"Director Fury, I'd like to accompany Samus on this bounty hunt," Natasha chimed in. "I have some friends who might be able to give us info on how to bring him in."

Samus turned to Natasha, a rare look of surprise crossing her face. Since becoming a bounty hunter, Samus had pretty much always worked alone -- she was always in her element when on her own on a remote planet, hunting dangerous fugitives. Having someone volunteer to accompany her was almost unfathomable.

Almost reflexively, Samus declined the request. "I appreciate the offer, but I work best alone."

"Don't brush me off that quickly, Samus. After our work at LexCorp, you can't tell me we don't make a good team. And I'm not after your bounty -- you can keep that. Officially, I'd be working for SHIELD."

Fury thought over Natasha's request. It wasn't a bad idea at all -- Octavius had proven himself a galactic threat in the past, and with what SHIELD had gathered about Doom's plans, it was extremely likely he'd have an offer for Octavius, and soon. Best to take Otto out of the picture now. What's more, the Web Wardens would owe Fury a favor, one he'd likely need to call in soon.

"Good idea, Nat. I'll approve of the mission ASAP... if Miss Aran here agrees. Samus, if you agree, you'll have access to SHIELD resources and info pertaining to Dr. Octavius. Hell, I'll even throw in another hundred thousand creds."

Samus usually preferred to work alone, but she wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. "Deal. Let's get started, Natasha."

Natasha shook the bounty hunter's hand, outwardly mirroring her stoic demeanor, but stirring with anticipation for her next assignment. Taking out a galactic menace and having the opportunity to seduce a gorgeous woman in the process? These were the assignments she lived for.