A few days passed, landing on a weekend. Bul-Kathos hammered a metal block, engrossed. Seeking amusement, he'd tasked New York Sanctum mages with fetching a pickup truck blueprint. Crafting a rugged vehicle was no challenge—precision and strength were his forte. For power, his endless gems could serve as an inexhaustible engine.
Jill, off from school, swung an axe nearby, watching Bul-Kathos forge. Boys loved machines, and Jill was thrilled about the car. But he wondered how Bul-Kathos would make windows and tires—metal didn't seem right.
"Hello, Mr. Bul-Kathos!" Coulson appeared at the blacksmith's door, surprised to see Jill with an axe.
"Coulson? Sit. Almost done," Bul-Kathos said, glancing up before resuming his hammering.
He liked Coulson, perhaps due to Melinda May's contrast. Coulson's tact and sociability made him friend material. Their last chat was pleasant, so Bul-Kathos welcomed him. Coulson had a purpose—last time's talk yielded little on key matters like Diablo's world-ending power, which S.H.I.E.L.D. needed to verify.
Coulson didn't need to study the shop; its layout was already on his desk. Agents had scouted it, only stumped by a metal basement wall they couldn't breach without damage. The gear wasn't just sharp toys—it enhanced human strength. They thought they'd left no trace, but Bul-Kathos knew.
Coulson watched Jill curiously. "Hello, kid. What's your name?"
He knew it was Jill but played ignorant. Bul-Kathos only required Jill to swing his axe for a set time daily, timing flexible. Jill set the axe on its custom rack and ran to a table spot with a view of the forging.
"Frank Castle Jr.," Jill said, eyes fixed on Bul-Kathos, answering with just his voice.
"Phil Coulson. Nice to meet you," Coulson said warmly, disarming as ever. Jill, polite, didn't retort. He hopped off the stool, approached, and offered a handshake.
"Mr. Coulson, nice to meet you too," he said. Coulson chuckled, shaking his hand formally.
"What's Bul-Kathos forging?" Coulson asked, noting Jill's interest.
"A car! A pickup truck!" Jill said, no secret to hide. Nor did Bul-Kathos care to conceal it.
"A model?" Coulson pressed, surprised.
"A real pickup truck!" Jill said seriously, irked by the question. Living with Bul-Kathos, his personality was turning blunt and barbarian-like, though not yet crude.
Coulson was stunned. "Got the engine parts?"
"He'll make them. No problem," Jill said confidently, trusting Bul-Kathos completely.
Bul-Kathos finished a forging stage, tossing a hood-like metal plate into an enlarged water tank. He sat at the table. "Coulson, what's up?"
"I'm here about Harrogath Mountain. We're puzzled by its sudden appearance," Coulson said, seeking specifics. Fury planned another probe, ready to catch any hidden enemies.
"Want a drink?" Bul-Kathos set two bottles of Water of Life on the table.
"No, thanks," Coulson declined, waving. If Bul-Kathos could mix a Molotov oolong tea, he might've indulged.
"You're heading to the mountain soon?" Dugan puffed his endless cigar.
"You really want me to 'find' vibranium there?" Rumlow asked, hesitant.
"Why stop now?" Dugan tossed him a vibranium chunk without pause.
Rumlow pocketed it, plotting how to plant it on Harrogath undetected.
(Chapter End)