In her role as one of the leaders of the Panel, Maria had found a sense of comfort, almost ease, at least in comparison to her role in SHIELD. While she was Deputy Director under Nick Fury, she had been surrounded by people who were as well trained as she was, even if she was of the humble opinion that they lacked the predisposition to make the hard choices when the time called for it – Maria Hill could be cold just as often if not more than she demonstrated acts of bravery or, dare she say it, heroism. With the Panel, she did not have interactions with purely agents at all times. Instead, she had to entertain journalists, members of the NYPD, civilians, heroic figures, enhanced people, and representatives of Xavier’s school. All of these people were well respected in their various fields, but Maria was of the opinion that they were much easier to read and manipulate given the fact that they were unaware that was exactly what she was doing. Everyone had a particular skill set, and she was determined to use hers to the fullest.
With J’onzz, though, she could see the sharp perception in his eyes, how they drifted over her office, cataloguing each minute piece – or rather, cataloguing the cold sterility of her place of work. Maria could move from place to place with minor disruption purely because she had nothing of great sentimental value to bring with her. Just as well, in her humble opinion, given that SHIELD H.Q. had gone into the Potomac, and many agents had lost their photographs and personal effects with that. Carter in particular, she knew, had lost one of her aunt’s lockets, and Barton had lost his life.
J’onzz wasn’t missing what she was insinuating. He was asking pointed questions that allowed for no deviation from the subject, no matter how many times Maria attempted it. Old habits died hard, she supposed, no matter whether she was the pinnacle of transparency – or meant to be – now or not. “People, in my experience, rarely claim what they have done unless they want it to be a spectacle,” she replied. “If the people who imprisoned your niece were working with Orse, that will be the furthest thing from their mind. The Skrulls, as far as our intelligence is concerned, are more preoccupied with stealth than an all out assault. I’m assuming that their human enforcers would be of the same opinion.” Remaining in the shadows was something that Maria understood, although it made her job monumentally more difficult. “I was not aware until I read the reports. The specifics of attempts to imprison her a second time were well hidden. I had to read between the lines to get any kind of intel at all.”
As far as Maria was concerned, the previous Strike Force, now disbanded, had been unsuccessful at apprehending M’gann for any prolonged period of time. Her power, therefore, must have been substantial enough to overlay their determination and brutality. If Maria wanted M’gann to trust the Panel under herself, Morse and Drew, then she would need to begin with her uncle. “There are many things we need to consider, Mr. J’onzz,” Maria responded smoothly. “We only have so many hours in the day, and there was much information to sift through. I assure you, after this conversation it will be moved to the top of my personal priorities pile.”
J’onzz was diplomatic. Maria made a metal note of that fact. He could be a worthy participant in the new Panel for that alone. Herself and Drew were not sweet enough to win over the masses with well-spoken words. Morse was much more charismatic, and Stark had enough experience, but someone as measured as J’onzz could only portray a confident image. “You intend to bring these people to justice through the legal system?” Maria asked, raising an eyebrow. “That is very admirable of you, Mr. J’onzz. I appreciate your trust in our due process.” Maria enjoyed doing things by the book. It made the world simple, predictable. She liked things predictable.
“There are many in your position who would take the law into their own hands,” she said, not able to hide the distaste in her voice for vigilantes. Daredevil, the Punisher, even Spider-Man and his associates came immediately into her mind. They had long since made her job extremely difficult. “I appreciate that you are willing to work with us on this, J’onzz. If we stick to the book for everyone, providing standardised punishments for the wrongs that were committed under Orse, then it will be much more successful.”
Maria nodded once, sharply, and stood up from her seat, making her way over to the water cooler. M’gann is like a daughter to me. Those words, more than anything else, hit Maria in such a way that she paused for a moment at the water cooler, hand shaking minutely as she picked up the cup. By the time she set it down on the desk in front of J’onzz, however, it had steadied once more. When she spoke again, there was no politeness in her tone, no empty platitudes or promises that wouldn’t be received. Instead there was a cold determination as she promised the man, “I will find who is responsible for hurting her, with your help, and we will make sure they’re thrown in a dark hole for many, many years.”
Maria Hill had a particular skill set. J’onn J’onzz had one of his own. He was a detective, always observing and analyzing. His partners on the force knew him as an excellent judge of character, and it was not only because of the telepathy. After all, he’d been the equivalent of a detective on Mars, too. J’onn was perceptive enough to know that the woman behind the desk was sympathetic to M’gann’s plight, while maintaining the same cunning manipulation of someone long used to quietly pulling the strings. He would need to be very careful around her.
“In my own experience, groups this large always have a weak link. One of these scientists is out there, sweating. Just a sign away from breaking under the pressure.” There were many scientists in this group. M’gann could not say exactly how many, but more than ten. Unless they had all been silenced, the odds were that at least one of them felt the guilt. Maria said that this was her top personal priority, but he had seen more than enough to tell him that what was personal in her life never received priority.
“They managed to contain her, presumably on Panel property, for several hours and sedated her during that time. The prison was unique, obviously created with her in mind. I have a hard time believing that the people who attempted to kidnap M’gann for a second time did not receive any orders to do so,” J’onn reminded her. “This was during Orse’s war, but there must be someone on that strike team who still has some recollection of the capture.”
J’onn nodded soberly. “Of course. As a detective and as a hero, it is my duty to apprehend criminals. No lone actor has the right to determine the meaning of justice. Certainly not to deliver it alone. I believe there is a saying in English. One cannot play judge, jury, and executioner.” He stressed the last part enough that it might have told Maria how he felt about revenge-seekers.
“In that case, I hope that the leaders of the Panel have selected a committee of qualified and experienced judges to deliberate on these sentences.” Augustus Freeman came to mind, but J’onn knew Freeman had given up the mantle and would not appreciate being dragged back into the world of heroes without notice. Especially when it was the Panel and the Accords that had caused Freeman to give it up.
Her hands were not quite shaking, but they were quivering slightly. With tact, J’onn took the cup and did not mention it. Merely another mental note. He sat in silence, drinking the water slowly while he reflected on her last statement. “I thank you. Your support in this endeavor signifies a new era for the Panel. Far better, I hope. Then there is my next order of business.” The cup was nearly empty. “The psychic shield implanted in my frontal lobe by the Orse administration remains intact and I would like it to be removed.” Perhaps she would agree right away. Within a week the chip might be gone, that lost feeling lifted and the connection to his beloved Mars returned. Somehow, he doubted it.