Midtown High. Classroom.
The woman standing in front of the class was not Ms. Juliet. Nor was she Mystique.
Vincent's Hydro-Kinesis scanned her biology. It was alien.
Skrull? Or D'Bari?
The D'Bari (from Dark Phoenix) could shapeshift, but they were tree-people and mostly extinct. The timeline didn't match.
It had to be a Skrull.
Vincent recalled the plot of Secret Invasion. Nick Fury had been harboring Skrull refugees on Earth since the 90s. They were his secret spy network.
"They copy memories, too," Vincent thought, disgusted. "Nick Fury, you old fox. You sent an alien to spy on me?"
He hated Skrulls. Invaders masquerading as humans, replacing people... it was a violation.
"The cold front from the Atlantic is coming early for you, Fury," Vincent muttered.
If the Skrull harmed the real Ms. Juliet, Vincent would wipe their entire species off the planet.
After Class.
"Vincent, please come to my office," Ms. Juliet called out.
Gwen paused, looking back with concern.
"Take my car keys," Vincent whispered, leaning close to her ear. "Wait for me in my bed tonight."
Gwen blushed furiously, snatching the keys. "I'm not waiting for you!"
She stormed off, but Vincent knew she would be there.
Teacher's Office.
Ms. Juliet smiled warmly. "Vincent, have you decided on a university? I can write you a recommendation letter."
It was a perfect act. But Vincent knew better. The real Juliet was a bit haughty; she wouldn't be this sisterly.
Vincent sat down, putting his feet on her desk.
"Is the real Ms. Juliet safe?" he asked bluntly.
"Vincent! Put your feet down! What are you talking about?" The Skrull feigned outrage.
"I hate being threatened," Vincent said, his voice dropping an octave. "And I hate spies. Reveal your true face, alien."
Crack.
Frost began to creep up the walls. The temperature in the office plummeted to freezing.
The Skrull started sweating. The pressure was immense. The Ice Demon's aura was suffocating.
"How did you know?"
Ms. Juliet's skin rippled and turned green. A male Skrull—Talos—sat in the chair.
"Where is she?" Vincent demanded.
Ring, ring.
Talos's phone rang. He answered it, trembling.
"Nick... I'm blown."
"How?" Fury's voice was calm but tight.
"He sees through the disguise. My biology... he can sense it."
Fury cursed silently. His ace in the hole had failed.
"Put him on."
Talos handed the phone to Vincent.
"Mr. Hall," Fury began. "This is a misunderstanding. Talos meant no harm. He's a refugee I'm protecting."
"Protecting invaders?" Vincent sneered. "You play a dangerous game, Fury. Sleeping with tigers."
"We are not alone in the universe," Fury argued. "We need allies."
"And you think disgusting shape-shifters are allies?" Vincent laughed coldly. "Here's the deal. Talos lives if you pay the price. If not, I wipe out every Skrull on Earth. And trust me, I can find them."
Fury went silent. He knew Vincent wasn't bluffing.
"What do you want?"
"Oscorp," Vincent said. "I want the names of every shareholder. And I want their dirty laundry. Every crime, every affair, every bribe. I want enough blackmail to make them sell their shares for pennies."
"Oscorp?" Fury was surprised. "Fine. Consider it done. But let Talos go."
"One more thing," Vincent added. "Tell your Skrulls to stay in their lane. If I see another green face in my life, I'm calling down an Ice Age."
He hung up.
Vincent flicked a drop of water onto Talos's forehead. It sank into his skin, forming a magical rune.
"That's a tracking mark. I can find you anywhere," Vincent warned. "Now get out. And bring Ms. Juliet back."
Talos scrambled out of the office, terrified.
Subway Ride Home.
Vincent took the subway, blending in with the crowd.
Fury would deliver the blackmail material. With that, taking over Oscorp would be child's play.
He thought about Peter Parker.
The new Peter was cold. Calculating. A killer.
"Why is Connors covering for him?" Vincent wondered. "Is Peter a pawn? Or a partner?"
Taking over Oscorp would give him the answers. He would control the resources they needed for their "God Gene" project.
Vincent's Apartment.
Vincent walked in to the smell of lemon sea bass.
Gwen was cooking.
"Tracy's recipe," Vincent smiled.
SHIELD HQ.
Nick Fury stared at his old pager. The Captain Marvel pager.
He didn't press it. Not yet.
Talos called back. "I'm safe. But he marked me. He said he'll kill us all if we cross him."
"We'll get you the Oscorp files," Fury sighed. "Stay low, Talos."
Fury rubbed his temple. The Ice Demon was becoming a major player. And now he wanted a corporate empire.
"Oscorp... what is he planning?"
Now Get The FULL NOVEL at Once!
Get 40% OFF for limited time only.
@patreon.com/Authorizz/shop