Night was falling...
Nick Fury stood by the window, gazing at the surging Potomac River. In the faint glow of erging lights, a marble obelisk pierced the sky like a sword... the monunt built for the first President of the United States, George Washington.
Tourists often flocked to it, taking high-speed elevators to the top to glimpse the city's panorama through small windows.
Due south of the Washington Monunt lay the White House, its lawns lush and green...
Twenty minutes earlier, the one-eyed director had received a private call from the Vice President's office. There was no expected reprimand or sharp rebuke, only a friendly inquiry from the politically ambitious Vice President, who exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes before hanging up.
Fury remained silent for a long ti. He had just learned that this Vice President, a seasoned politician from South Carolina and the House Majority Whip, was not only a man of political ambition, but also a doting father.
Francis Underwood's daughter suffered from a right leg disability, a source of sighs for his wife and a trigger for the girl's mild depression. According to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s intel, the golden-haired angel had once attempted suicide.
The yet-to-be-released "Chrysalis Serum" from Umbrella was specifically developed for patients with limb deficiencies.
It was likely through this connection that the radiant young man had forged ties with Vice President Underwood. Whether deeper transactions existed remained unknown...
"I don't believe you can always stay one step ahead." Fury stared coldly at the holographic projection of Sean.
His initial suspicion had stemd from a spymaster's instinct, but deeper investigation revealed the young man was indeed suspicious. He always hovered on the periphery of events, seemingly uninvolved yet surrounded by unsettling oddities upon closer scrutiny.
Having held high-ranking positions in multiple intelligence agencies, Nick Fury knew there was no such thing as repeated coincidence in this world. If it happened, it was orchestrated.
A Vice President's pressure alone wasn't enough to make S.H.I.E.L.D. back down, though the bald director was well aware of the long-standing discontent from the White House and the military. This could easily beco another opportunity for politicians to corner him.
"Sir, a call from the Pentagon."
Nick Fury's expression darkened as he picked up.
General Ross's voice ca through, and he could almost picture the hawkish officer's arrogant face.
If the White House's dissatisfaction with S.H.I.E.L.D. stemd from its insulated power (even the President couldn't directly command this massive covert agency), the military's hostility arose from S.H.I.E.L.D.'s terrifying authority, which overshadowed the Pentagon and other intelligence bodies.
This deeply rooted organization could recruit directly from the four major intelligence agencies without seeking funding from the I.C. (Intelligence Community) or the Departnt of Defense, freeing it from White House and military constraints.
With global branches and a strict confidentiality system, it wielded imnse autonomy.
The World Security Council likely never imagined, when expanding the Strategic Scientific Reserve into this behemoth, that it would grow into such a sprawling, unchecked power.
Listening to the stern reprimand over the phone, Fury responded calmly, "Of course I know Mr. Cyphers is an outstanding young man... I rely invited him to assist in a minor investigation. Rest assured, General, we'll return him safely... How long? Well, you know how these things go... interrog– inquiries take ti."
Though he despised politicians, the one-eyed director had to admit their deflection tactics were useful now.
About forty minutes later, the conversation had veered from Sean's release to military operations in Central Asia and the Pentagon's intelligence network. No matter how General Ross roared, Fury chatted amiably as if catching up with an old friend.
With a loud...
*Bang!*
...the call ended abruptly. The bald director smirked, "Still so hot-tempered at his age."
Setting the phone down, his smile faded. Fury's single eye glead sharply, like a seasoned hunter watching trapped prey struggle.
"Who's next? Oscorp? Or so other corporate giant?" He snorted.
The suspected New York prodigy did have impressive connections... a high-ranking Vice President, and a Pentagon general, all willing to speak for him.
But S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn't like other agencies. Even under pressure from two heavyweights, Fury believed he could hold firm.
He watched the video feed of Sean being interrogated by Grant Ward. This was just the first step. More thods awaited.
Even Nazi fanatics during WWII, once processed by S.H.I.E.L.D., spilled every secret unless they succeeded in suicide.
This organization, ostensibly maintaining global order, hid just as much bloodshed and terror as its infamous counterpart, HYDRA.
As his thoughts drifted, the phone rang again. Fury glanced at it... It was not Oscorp or any corporate entity, as expected...
"Tony... Didn't expect your call." The one-eyed director sounded surprised.
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