See more on my P@treon.
[email protected]/Dreamerlord Just replace @ with a
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He was about to say more, but all three of them suddenly turned as a loud whoosh cut through the air.
"It's all done. The whole house is now secure," Storm Shadow said as he appeared beside them.
"Finally," Ethan nodded, stepping out. Coulson and Sharon exchanged a glance—Storm Shadow really was unnervingly fast.
Soon, all of them were inside the house. Ethan brought drinks and set them on the table.
"So, what now?" Ethan asked, sitting on the sofa across from them.
"Well," Coulson began, "we lost some agents today, so we know someone inside SHIELD has information."
"There's a mole in SHIELD," Sharon said plainly.
"Wow. So what now?" Ethan asked, his face calm.
"I don't care if there's a mole or not," Ethan added. "I just want to know—what are your next steps?"
"We can't let the mole know we're aware of him," Coulson replied. "We have to play along and try to bait him into revealing himself."
"Sharon will stay as your assistant. Can she?" Coulson asked.
"Oh yeah, please," Ethan said. "With her around, I don't have to deal with every company issue. She can handle that for me. I was even thinking of naming her the CEO."
Sharon nodded. "Yes, I'm already doing 100% of the work anyway. He can just be the CEO in name."
"Plus, we'll assign more agents to you disguised as bodyguards," Coulson added. "Clearly, now you know you need them."
"There's no need. Storm is enough," Ethan said, waving his hand.
Hell no. What if you guys send a Hydra agent? After all, even you don't know how much of SHIELD is Hydra now, Ethan thought, keeping his face calm.
"He's still just a single guy," Coulson insisted.
"I'll recruit my own guards. Don't worry," Ethan replied.
Coulson sighed. "You don't trust us."
"You can't blame me," Ethan said. "I can see you're good people. She's a good woman. But what about the others in SHIELD? You said it yourself."
"So I don't know if I can trust your organization yet."
"Hm. You're right. In the name of 'bodyguards,' we might accidentally send a killer to you," Coulson admitted with a nod.
"Okay. Only Sharon will stay here. And he's… I guess more than capable," Coulson said, glancing at Storm, who was standing to the side, quietly leaning against the wall.
"When he's free… can he train me?" Sharon asked.
"I guess he can," Ethan said, and Storm gave a small nod.
"Okay then… by the way, Ethan, do you want to join SHIELD?" Coulson suddenly asked.
Ethan raised his eyebrow, letting out a small laugh. "You heard me earlier, right? I said I don't trust you guys."
"This has nothing to do with trust," Coulson replied. "You're a bright mind, Ethan. I'm sure you could be part of us, help us. We could use your talents."
"Hm… I might, but not right now," Ethan said. "For now, I'll just stay here and run my company. You can register me if you want. And you, Coulson—feel free to come to me if you ever need anything. But I won't be joining SHIELD yet."
He continued, "Maybe later, when I'm done building everything I have in mind. Once I'm not tied down by tech and business, maybe then I'll join. Might even add some fun to my life."
Coulson nodded. "Okay. I'll keep a reserved file for you."
"Also don't forget about the car Promise, I want it as great as your Phantom" he added.
Ethan chuckled as he nodded. "Sure, just get me the resources and I'll build the best spy car to ever exist."
"Hm. Then… modify my Lola," Coulson added with a firm nod.
"Lola?" Ethan raised a brow.
"My very first car. Bought with my own salary. She holds a special meaning in my life," Coulson said.
"Okay then—drop off Lola and the things you want added. Guns, missiles… I'll add everything."
Ethan watched Coulson stand up, smoothing out his jacket.
"Alright then. I'll bring Lola tomorrow," Coulson said. "And… thanks again. Really."
"No problem," Ethan replied with a small nod.
Coulson gave Sharon a quick look. "Stay safe. Both of you."
Sharon nodded, and Storm simply dipped his head.
With that, Coulson headed out the door and left.
The room fell quiet for a moment.
Ethan stretched his arms and stood up. "Well, I'm going back to my basement. You guys can do whatever you want."
Sharon lifted an eyebrow. "Work?"
"Yeah, your work," Ethan said casually. "I'm not stopping you."
Storm Shadow silently followed Ethan to the door to stand guard again.
Sharon sighed. "Fine. I'll finish organizing the files."
Ethan waved lazily as he headed downstairs. "Good. Have fun."
Returning to his basement, he sat at the edge of his bed.
"Now… I almost forgot about Hydra," Ethan muttered. "Hm. Grant Ward… I can have him work for me. Storm can train him."
His mind drifted through a list of potential people he could recruit—fighters, agents, specialists. Anyone useful.
He leaned back on his hands, staring at the ceiling.
"Ward could be a good asset if I get him early… before Hydra messes him up," Ethan murmured.
"Storm, come in," Ethan called out loud.
Within seconds, Storm Shadow silently descended the stairs.
"You called?" Storm asked.
"Yes," Ethan said. "I want you to find a guy named Grant Ward and train him. He might be in the juvenile disciplinary detention center. Look for a kid who set his own house on fire—should speed up the search."
Storm nodded once, then asked, "If I leave, who will protect you?"
"Don't worry about me," Ethan said with a small smile. "I've made this basement sturdy enough that not even a nuke can force me out of here. I'm safe."
"Very well. I will go now," Storm said, turning to leave.
"Hold on," Ethan added. "By the time you come back, I'll probably have new toys ready for you."
Storm gave a faint nod before disappearing up the stairs.
Ethan stretched, muttering to himself, "Next is Skye… but no hurry. I can get her later."