Three hours after the ambush, Henri was sitting in a white-walled lab beneath one of SHIELD's secure bunkers—Site-7, somewhere near the edge of Brooklyn.
The room was quiet, sterile. No tech but what SHIELD allowed. The beacon was gone—confiscated, locked up under ten layers of biometric access.
Henri wasn't cuffed, but the two agents outside the door didn't exactly scream "freedom."
Across from him sat a woman in a white coat and black tactical armor. Early 40s, sharp jaw, sharper eyes. Her name tag read:
> Dr. Cassandra Kane
Lead Researcher, SHIELD Advanced Tech Division
"I'm going to be honest with you, Mr. Cross," she said, flipping through a holographic file. "We've never seen anything like your system."
Henri crossed his arms. "I haven't either. It just… appeared."
Dr. Kane tilted her head. "No biometric interface. No neural sync. And yet it responds to you. Adapts to your thoughts. Evolving tech that builds itself? That's not magic. That's a god-tier A.I."
Henri flinched.
> God-tier A.I. She's not wrong. But it's more than that.
---
🧠 Upgrade System Notification
> [Prototype Module Available – Claim Now?]
Henri blinked.
> Yes. Claim it.
---
🔹 [Prototype Module – Neural Crafting Tool]
> A portable techforge blueprint
Allows you to construct new devices in-the-field using system overlays
Bonus: Unlocks permanent access to "Quick Craft" panel
Slot Saved: 1/5
---
In the corner of his HUD, a new tab appeared: QUICK CRAFT
It had five empty slots — but one glowed.
> [Active Prototype: Sonic Disruption Device v0.1]
[Next Blueprint Slot: Unlocked]
---
"Mr. Cross," Dr. Kane said, leaning forward. "SHIELD can protect you. We can study the system. Help you control it."
Henri raised an eyebrow. "And what do you want in return?"
She smiled thinly.
"Your full cooperation. Tech demonstrations. Blueprint access. All data shared in real-time. You'll remain under supervision."
> So basically, a science lab guinea pig with a cool wristband.
Henri looked around. "What if I say no?"
"Then we isolate the system," she said calmly. "For Earth's protection."
Before Henri could reply, the lights flickered.
An alarm sounded.
> RED ALERT – Breach Detected
A voice came through the loudspeakers:
> "Unauthorized signal spike detected in Hangar Bay 3. Multiple lifeforms. Possible teleport signature."
Dr. Kane stood. "Stay here."
Henri didn't.
---
🧠 System Alert:
> Unknown Hostile Forces Detected
Signature Match: 48% – SIXTH CODE NODE
Threat Level: Severe
Objective: Protect System Core
Henri sprinted out the door, evading the SHIELD guards.
---
🏛️ HANGAR BAY 3
By the time Henri arrived, all hell had broken loose.
Three black-clad figures stood in the bay — shimmering armor, tech-laced skin, and faces obscured by visors. One of them held a pulsating red device—a signal anchor.
The beacon.
Henri's heart dropped.
They had taken it.
SHIELD agents opened fire, but the bullets fizzled against shimmering barrier shields.
One attacker raised his hand — and the entire wall behind him bent, twisted, and caved inward.
Henri's system pinged.
---
🧠 System Override Opportunity Detected
> Accessing: Tactical Field Craft
Suggested Blueprint: Arc Flash Grenade v0.2
Required Materials Nearby: ✔
Crafting Time: 6 Seconds
Deploy?
> Do it.
---
Henri darted behind a toppled table and slammed wires into a plasma coil from a destroyed drone. He wrapped it around a small Stark battery pack and activated the timer.
Beep. Beep. BEEP—
> FLASH!
The explosion wasn't lethal — it was blinding. A wave of white-hot light and sonic shock burst through the bay.
The attackers stumbled.
Ryler — who had arrived with a squad — took the chance. She tackled one, pinning him, cuffing him with SHIELD's anti-tech restraints.
The other two vanished in a teleport flicker, leaving sparks behind — but without the beacon.
Henri stood over the fallen enemy.
The visor cracked. Inside wasn't a man. It was synthetic.
A bio-cybernetic hybrid.
---
🧠 System Alert
> Analyzing Captured Host…
Partial Match: "Second Origin Code"
Host: Artificial Creation
Affiliation: UNKNOWN DIMENSIONAL FACTION
Intent: System Retrieval / Beacon Restoration
---
Henri looked at Ryler.
"These things aren't from Earth."
"No kidding," she muttered, reloading.
The SHIELD security teams dragged the synthetic off.
---
⚙️ Later…
Dr. Kane reviewed the footage silently. Fury stood beside her.
"Still think we can control him?" Fury asked.
Dr. Kane's eyes narrowed. "Not control. But maybe we can guide him."
Fury didn't look convinced.
"If he becomes a threat?"
"We shut him down."
---
📦 Henri's Quarters – Later That Night
The lights flickered gently as Henri sat alone, breathing heavily.
His hands were still shaking.
The system pulsed quietly. A notification appeared.
---
🎖️ Skill Evolution Available
> Due to successful blueprint integration and field success…
🔹 New Passive Skill Unlocked: Combat Instinct v0.1
> Grants increased awareness in life-or-death situations
Slight reaction speed boost
Increases Dodge/Evade efficiency under 20% HP
---
Henri closed his eyes.
> This is getting bigger than me. That beacon wasn't just calling out. It was part of a network.
He looked down at his wristband.
> And I'm wired right into it.
Suddenly, a final notification appeared.
---
🧠 New Message from System Root
> You are not alone. Others are awakening. Some will help. Some will hunt. Prepare.
- The First Node
---
Henri leaned back on his cot.
"Guess it's time to build faster."