<div class="floatleft">(http://www.novafashions.com/product_images/j/019/The_Avengers_Nick_Fury_jacket__32544_zoom.JPG)</div><strong>Name:</strong>Director Nick Fury<br/><strong>Alias:</strong>None<br/><strong>Dorm Assignment:</strong>None<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Auditorium<br/><strong>Date/Time:</strong>September 2nd, Early evening<br/><strong>Wearing:</strong>As pictured<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Closed<br/><strong>Mentioning:</strong>Students, Xavier, Cap, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Faculty<br/><hr/>Although a few had been on-site for a while, most of the students had been arriving at the A.C.E. facility throughout the day.  The stern man, his hands clasped behind his back, looked across the faces gathered before him, with his one good eye.  Nick Fury was only human, but the people who sat in that room were special – and with the way the threats were beginning to mount against S.H.I.E.L.D., the human race needed these teenagers to become something else.  Earth needed guardians, now more than ever.<br/><br/>Looking around the room, Director Fury made quick eye contact with the dozen members of the faculty present, lining the base of the stage and formed in a V.  Agents Romanov and Barton were stationed in the rear corners, poised like hawks prepared to fly into action at the first sign of trouble or a single command from him.  Nick couldn’t count the number of headaches he had developed when putting the A.C.E. program together, but now it was finally ready.  He just hoped these kids were up for the challenge.<br/><br/>The spy turned his attention to the gifted teenagers who sat in the seats before him.  Each face was familiar to him, memorized and burned into his mind, as were the contents of their personnel files. Some were natural-born heroes, others… would need encouragement.  However, all of them had the potential to end up on a remarkably short roster of people who started with the star-spangled man who stood behind Fury.  It seemed only fitting to have the first superhero present for the opening of a school designed to nurture and create more.<br/><br/>Nick cleared his throat.<strong>”I <em>am</em> Director Fury.  Welcome to the Academy of Character Excellence.  You all are here because you are more than human.  The world needs you.  <em>You</em> need to learn to control your gifts, and to stop being a danger to yourselves and others.  A.C.E. is here to help you do that.  <em>I’ll</em> accept nothing less.”</strong>His tone of voice was as serious as the grave. A.C.E. didn’t exist for time-wasters or laziness; in fact, it didn’t exist for the great majority of the population.<br/><br/>A hand indicated the people who stood along the base of the stage.<strong>“Standing before you are the people who will teach and guide you.”</strong>Fury motioned toward the person who sat in a wheelchair to his right.<strong>”This is Professor Xavier.  He has been one of the Academy’s largest supporters and consultants since its inception.”</strong>The Director tilted his head towards the man stood to his left.<strong>”You all <em>know</em> Captain Steve Rodgers,”</strong>Fury said in a way that showed respect toward Cap and demanded it from the students.<br/><br/>Nick Fury smiled wryly.<strong>“Tomorrow your classes begin.  You <em>should</em> have been given your schedule and dorm assignments.”</strong>His tone made it quite clear that the students were expected to have these and to be familiar with them already.  He shrugged and offered a warm smile.<strong>”<em>Now</em>, it’s time for you to get to know each other.   I suggest you get to know the other students in your dorm, as well as, the students who you will be working with.”</strong><br/><br/>The Director waved towards the buffet arranged over the two tables located behind the students.<strong>”As you no doubt noticed - food and drink has been provided.  Feel free to mingle – and once again, welcome to the Academy.”</strong>His speech done, Nick Fury turned away from the lectern. With his stern mask back in place, the spy nodded to Cap and the Professor before striding away.  From here on, they had this.  By the sound of chairs scraping across the floor, several of the students had gotten to their feet by the time the Director exited the auditorium.