Let me get this straight. Tony’s voice drifted in from somewhere near the kitchen, followed by the soft hiss of the coffee machine. You’re telling me—without consulting anyone—that we’re getting a new teammate.

I’m telling you. Steve didn’t turn around. I’ve reviewed their file. They’re capable. They’re ready.

Ready. He appeared in the doorway, coffee in hand, leaning against the frame with the easy, mocking posture of someone already preparing several paragraphs of objections. Cap, the last time you said someone was ready, I ended up with a shield-shaped dent in my best suit.

That was an accident.

It was a metaphor. Keep up.

You haven’t even met them yet.

And I don’t need to. New people are liabilities. Untrained, unproven, un— He gestured vaguely, as if the right word would come to him. —unvetted.

I vetted them.

You vetted them. Right. And where exactly are they now?

That’ll be them.

He took a deliberate sip of his coffee. Fantastic. Let’s go meet the new problem.