"I'm shutting down Stark Industries' weapons division!" Tony announced.
Nick Fury winced at the screen. Stark's move could drive Wall Street to the rooftops—literally. The street already saw its share of jumpers, nearly banning rooftop access.
The fallout might push someone to take a shot at Tony. A single bullet could end the playboy, no match for his fragile body despite his genius. Lately, Tony stared at lab equipment, unnerved by the glowing arc reactor in his chest.
"Coulson, get in here!" Fury barked into his comms, waiting.
Knock knock knock.
"Come in!"
Coulson appeared promptly at Fury's office. "New task: protect Tony Stark. I don't want assassination headlines," Fury said, irritated.
With a rare lull, SHIELD was regaining normalcy, able to spare agents.
"Got it, Director. Anything else?" Coulson asked, swamped lately.
"Hellboy's team—any issues? We need our superhuman squad. Critical," Fury said.
"No anomalies with Hellboy," Coulson reported, hesitating. "But…"
"What's with the pause? You know all intel reaches me eventually," Fury said, glaring with his one eye.
"Amanda Waller's planning something similar. Still in early stages," Coulson admitted.
Fury pinched his brow. "Her supervillain recycling plan?"
"Yes."
"She doesn't get how dangerous they are? They need oversight," Fury said, forgetting his own questionable actions—like keeping Purple Man's body, despite promising Jessica its destruction. Records said otherwise.
"I could remind Waller," Coulson offered, subtly nudging Fury.
"Forget it. Focus on Stark's safety. I'll handle Waller," Fury said, dismissing him. He needed solitude.
SHIELD's Hydra infiltration aimed at the Insight Project, Fury's brainchild, now scrapped.
Bang! The door slammed open. Dum Dum Dugan, freshly healed, stormed in, face dark. "No word on Werewolf or Mummy's deaths. Explain, Fury!"
Dugan, Howling Commandos' captain, held Fury accountable. "How's the new assassin and Winter Soldier I sent? Rebuilding the Commandos," Fury said, temples throbbing.
"Not the point! Two comrades died quietly. Who's the killer?" Dugan snapped, nearly biting through his cigar. His loyalty to friends surprised Fury.
"We're investigating. Clues point to Hydra," Fury said, turning his laptop to show a vampire in imperial garb.
"Not that simple," Dugan growled, nostrils flaring.
"Steve told you?" Fury guessed.
"Who else!" Dugan demanded. He meant Ghost Rider, Mephisto's son. Fury couldn't send agents to hell for intel—they'd never return.
"You gonna storm hell for revenge?" Fury shouted. He hadn't wanted their deaths. Supernatural cases fell to the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense, not SHIELD.
"If I must!" Dugan roared.
"Talk to Hellboy. You know where to find the BPRD," Fury said, turning his laptop back. He had budgets to juggle, safehouses to build—tougher under scrutiny.
"I never trusted you!" Dugan snarled, storming out.
"Maria Hill was a godsend," Fury muttered. With her, he didn't micromanage.
"Jessica, let's shop!" Luke Cage bellowed outside her apartment, echoing a lovesick serenade.
Neighbors were used to it. Luke shouted daily, announcing their budding romance. Jessica's place wasn't fancy, but the community was tight-knit.
"Luke, shut up!" Jessica yelled, waking groggy residents. Luke's morning calls, paired with her embarrassed retorts, ensured no one overslept.
Jessica stomped downstairs, dragging Luke down the street. Their day started at Bul-Kathos's forge. They'd learned teleportation and return spells but weren't adept. To avoid mishaps, Bul-Kathos demanded daily check-ins at the forge, including Rumlow and Matt, to save portal-opening time. He was busy training Rorschach.
"See the news? Stark's back. Kidnapped by lunatics," Luke said, handing Jessica a hot dog.
"Closing his weapons division will stir trouble. Thanks," Jessica said, biting into it, sauce smearing her lips.
"Stark won't let it slide. He's not one to eat losses," Luke said, offering a handkerchief. Old-school, he carried cloth, not tissues.
"None of our business. Focus on getting stronger," Jessica said, finishing the hot dog, wiping her mouth, and returning the washed handkerchief.
"Bul-Kathos says Rorschach could take you now," Jessica teased.
"Not just him. Wayne's catching up," Luke admitted reluctantly.
"Then step it up! I don't babysit," Jessica said softly.
"I'll take care of you. Always been strong," Luke grinned, unfazed.
"If I surpass you, you're buying dinner daily," Jessica said.
"Don't need to wait. I'll do it now," Luke replied. Jessica took his hand. "I'm a Great Bear Tribe barbarian. You'd need the chieftain's approval."
Orak and Kotur, the tribe's chieftains on Harrogath, wouldn't be easy to sway.
"I'll get Maddock to vouch for me," Luke said, beaming.
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