With Steve's agreement, the Plumbers' official superhuman response team was established.
Ben provided them with new, state-of-the-art uniforms. These weren't the standard white-and-black kits of a typical Plumber agent but sleek, black tactical suits, each customized to reflect the wearer's unique identity.
Peter's Spider-Man suit, for example, retained its classic design but underwent a significant aesthetic shift. The iconic red was deepened to a blood crimson, while the blue was darkened to a near-black navy, with new black paneling accentuating the design. It was a more mature, more intimidating look.
"I look like a supervillain," Harry complained, though a grin played on his lips as he surveyed his own reflection. His Green Goblin armor was now a menacing dark emerald, its sleek lines looking more sinister than ever. He didn't truly mind, however. As the chairman of the Osborn Group, his days in the field would be limited. He was far more absorbed in his new corporate conquests, especially now that he had acquired a significant stake in Stark Group. He was already a member of the board and was actively plotting how to poach Pepper Potts, whose legendary management skills he desperately coveted.
Felicia's and T'Challa's suits remained largely unchanged, as they were already black. The rest of the team—Bucky, Sam, and Natasha—received new gear based on the designs of the Plumbers' own elite black-ops divisions: form-fitting, tactical, and brutally efficient.
Of course, the upgrades were more than just cosmetic. Every member who needed it was given an injection of the perfected Super Soldier Serum. This was an elite team; there was no room for members with ordinary human physiology.
Everyone was immensely satisfied with their new equipment, especially Sam Wilson. As a retired soldier, his only asset had been his winged flight pack, a piece of tech that was more agile than durable. Now, the Plumbers had not only rebuilt his wings with superior technology but had also elevated his body to the peak of human potential. He was, for all intents and purposes, on par with Captain America.
Only Steve Rogers himself seemed a little hesitant.
His new uniform was a dark, shield-less version reminiscent of his Nomad gear, but the issue was his iconic weapon. He stared helplessly at the familiar-yet-alien disc of Adamantium-Vibranium alloy. Ben had completely stripped the star-spangled paint, replacing it with the black-and-green hourglass insignia of the Plumbers.
"Do I really have to change the color scheme?" Steve asked, scratching his head.
"Only this way can you represent the Plumbers as our captain," Ben said with a smile. "Before, you were Captain America, serving one narrow country. Now, you are a Captain of the Plumbers, the leader of this team, serving all of humanity. We no longer have to worry about another S.H.I.E.L.D. rising to use superheroes as political tools."
"I know, it's just… I'm not used to the look," Steve admitted, picking up the shield and rubbing its newly painted surface. "And there was a tactical reason for the original design. The bright colors were meant to attract the enemy's attention. The pattern acted as a psychological target, inducing enemies to aim for the center of the shield. This new design…"
Peter gasped, the white lenses of his mask widening in shock. "What? The shield had a taunt effect?"
"Why do you think they never shot at my legs?" Steve asked with a weary sigh.
"I just thought you were a really good fighter and blocked everything," Peter said sheepishly. A new worry dawned on him. "Ben, what if the Captain gets shot now?"
Ben glanced at him, momentarily puzzled by the new honorific, but answered anyway. "Unless they're firing adamantium bullets, it won't matter."
"What do you mean?" Peter asked.
Natasha's eyes lit up with understanding. "You used vibranium," she said, a note of awe in her voice. "You made all the suits out of vibranium?" The sheer cost was staggering. A single one of these suits was worth more than Tony Stark's most advanced armors. If she ever quit, she could sell the suit and retire for several lifetimes over.
Sandman, too, touched his new clothes in surprise, a calculating look in his eyes as he seriously considered the resale value. After all, with his elemental powers, he hardly needed the protection.
Only T'Challa's face darkened. Most of the vibranium Ben now possessed had been stolen by Ultron from Wakanda. His nation had borne the cost of this generosity. Moreover, his unique status as a hero had been predicated on his enhanced physiology and his vibranium suit. Now, everyone on the team had body-enhancing serums and vibranium-laced gear. He felt as if he'd been demoted from a core member to just another super-soldier. Looking at Steve, however, he felt a sliver of solace. At least his own power came from the Heart-Shaped Herb and his connection to the Panther God, Bast. Steve's only superpower, the serum, was now common stock.
"William," Ben said, breaking the silence and accurately reading their thoughts. "Don't bother thinking about selling your suit. It's not made of vibranium, just waterproof nano-tech. As for the rest of you, the suits are a composite, laced with a small amount of vibranium, not pure metal." Even with his vast resources, outfitting the entire team in pure vibranium was impractical. "Still," he added, "even this composite is priceless. A direct hit from a missile wouldn't leave a scratch."
After distributing the gear, Ben began to administer the serums. He revealed that the standard Super Soldier Serum was no longer a rarity among the Plumbers. After Walter Hardy had turned over the original formula, it had become a standard enhancement for many agents.
"Ben," Felicia purred, sidling up to him and poking his side with an elbow. "Do we need another injection?" She, like Peter, seemed to find the new nickname amusing.
Harry nodded in agreement. "I've already had the serum. A second dose shouldn't have any effect."
"That's not necessarily true," Ben corrected, shaking his head. Repeated injections could have unpredictable, powerful effects. That's how the Sentry was born, he thought, a hero with the power of a million exploding suns, all from a modified super-serum. It was precisely why Ben guarded the formula so closely.
"But that's not what this is," he announced. "What you're receiving is an enhanced version: Super Soldier Serum No. 2. It will further amplify your abilities on top of your existing foundation." Hearing this, even Steve eyed his vial with curiosity.
"Peter," Ben said, holding up a different syringe, "your case is special. This is a Gene-Completion Potion."
"Gene-Completion?" Peter echoed, tilting his head. "What does it do?"
"Exactly what it sounds like. It fills in the missing pieces of your genetic code," Ben explained. To give his 'little brother' a boost, Ben had extracted the DNA from the genetically engineered spider that bite Miles Morales, isolating the genes for bio-electric discharge and active camouflage. He'd always felt that the classic Peter Parker was the 'base model' Spider-Man; it was time for an upgrade.
"That sounds awesome," Peter said, practically vibrating with excitement.
Sandman received a custom-tailored "Coagulant," designed to allow him to maintain a stable human form without constant, draining concentration. It was a solution to the curse he hated most about his powers—the loss of his humanity. William Baker looked at Ben, his eyes filled with a profound, unspoken gratitude.
Finally, there was Matt Murdock.
"Daredevil, you won't be getting a serum," Ben said. "But I have something else for you. Dr. Cho?"
From behind the mask, Matt's jaw, which had been set in a stoic line, dropped in a surprised arc. He'd noticed the lack of a vial at his station but had said nothing. He was just a blind lawyer with enhanced senses; he understood he wasn't a top investment priority. He never expected Ben had a separate plan for him.
He heard someone enter the room, their strong, steady heartbeat indicating another superhuman.
"This is Dr. Helen Cho," Ben said, introducing her as if Matt could see. "Dr. Cho's Regeneration Cradle technology is now perfected. It can repair and rebuild damaged organs."
"Really?" Matt gasped, shooting to his feet. "Could it… even damaged eyes…?" He caught himself, realizing he'd lost his composure. "I'm sorry, Dr. Cho. It's just… hard to believe." He was so excited he was speechless.
"Don't worry about it," Dr. Cho said with a kind smile. "The cradle's recent improvements are thanks to our boss. With the Extremis technology he provided, repairing a pair of eyes is no longer a difficult task."
Matt turned his head toward Ben, his gratitude radiating from him like heat. He remembered their first meeting, his disappointment when the healing serum couldn't restore his sight. He never imagined Ben would remember and solve the problem.
Ben gave a slight shrug. It wasn't a special project, just a happy consequence of Killian's tech falling into my hands. He remembered a comic where Matt had briefly regained his sight via Extremis, only to sacrifice it to uphold justice against Tony Stark. This time, he could have both.
Helen Cho led the team to the lab for their one-click upgrades. While they were being processed, Ben reviewed the Earth branch's progress with Norman. The Mount Rushmore base was already being excavated, and Norman was planning another base near Wakanda, concerned about the nation's isolationism.
"Don't worry about Wakanda," Ben said, waving a dismissive hand. "Their Panther God is a minor deity at best. But a base there isn't a bad idea." He agreed, mostly because he recalled a future conflict between Wakanda and the undersea kingdom of Atlantis. The lost city, and the hidden Inhumans, would give the new Plumber agents plenty to do.
As he sifted through personnel files, a resume caught his eye. Thor Odinson had applied to be a Plumber.
"This lazy oaf is finally getting off the couch?" Ben chuckled, stamping the application with his approval. He already had a wonderfully devious plan in mind: he would make the God of Thunder a rank-and-file soldier under the command of his brother, Loki. The potential for drama was simply too delicious to pass up.
Just then, the lab doors opened, and the newly enhanced team walked out. Steve led the way, shield in hand, his presence that of a true spiritual leader. Behind him, Black Cat and Spider-Man fell into step, followed by the rest of the team in a tight, disciplined formation. They no longer looked like a loose collection of heroes; they looked like an elite strike force.
Ben nodded, a deep satisfaction settling over him.
"Very good," he announced. "From this day forward, you are the Thunderbolts."
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