The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier's conference room represented the pinnacle of organizational control—sterile, secure, and designed to remind everyone present that they were operating within Director Fury's domain. Su Chen entered with measured confidence, noting the other individuals already present.
Agent Phil Coulson stood near the door, ever the professional coordinator. Captain Steve Rogers sat uncomfortably in modern tactical gear, still adjusting to the 21st century's aesthetics and technology. And most interesting, a woman with distinctive red hair and predatory grace occupied a chair with the casual alertness of someone perpetually ready for violence.
"Mr. Su Chen," Fury greeted from the head of the table. "Thank you for coming. I believe you know Agent Coulson and Captain Rogers. This is Agent Natasha Romanoff—one of our most capable field operatives."
"The Black Widow," Su Chen acknowledged, recognizing her from intelligence files. "Your reputation is impressive, Agent Romanoff. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Natasha's green eyes assessed him with the thoroughness of someone trained to identify threats. "Su Chen. The consultant who can apparently fight Asgardian weapons of mass destruction and walk through electromagnetic fields unharmed. Your reputation is also quite impressive."
"We all have our skills," Su Chen replied neutrally, taking a seat.
Fury activated a holographic display showing Tony Stark's press conference. "As you're all aware, Mr. Stark decided to reveal his identity publicly. This creates both opportunity and complication. The public now knows enhanced individuals exist and can operate independently. That changes the game."
"How so?" Rogers asked, his tactical mind clearly working through implications.
"Before Stark's announcement, enhanced individuals were rumors, conspiracy theories, or covert operations," Fury explained. "Now they're public figures. That means public accountability, media scrutiny, and political pressure. It also means every organization interested in enhanced individuals—friendly and hostile—will be making moves."
"You're concerned about recruitment," Su Chen observed. "Stark proved enhanced individuals can maintain independence while operating effectively. Others will want that freedom rather than organizational oversight."
"Exactly," Fury confirmed. "Which brings me to why you're all here. I'm accelerating the Avengers Initiative—a team of enhanced individuals who can respond to threats that conventional forces can't handle. Captain Rogers is confirmed. We're in negotiations with Stark. And I'm evaluating other candidates."
He looked directly at Su Chen. "Including you and your network."
The silence that followed was calculated. Su Chen had expected this conversation but not this quickly. Fury was moving faster than anticipated, likely pressured by events accelerating beyond his control.
"I'm honored by the consideration," Su Chen said carefully. "But I need to understand what 'Avengers Initiative' actually means. Structure, authority, operational parameters, and most importantly—autonomy."
"The Avengers would operate under S.H.I.E.L.D. oversight," Fury stated. "You'd have tactical autonomy in the field, but strategic direction comes from this organization. You'd be sanctioned, supported, and held accountable for your actions."
"Accountable to whom?" Su Chen challenged. "S.H.I.E.L.D.? The World Security Council? Politicians who don't understand enhanced capabilities?"
"To the people we're protecting," Rogers interjected, his voice carrying the moral clarity that had defined him in the 1940s. "Enhanced abilities come with responsibility. If we're going to operate with that much power, we need oversight to ensure we don't become what we're fighting against."
"Captain Rogers makes a valid point," Su Chen acknowledged. "But oversight is only meaningful if the overseers understand what they're overseeing. Director Fury, with respect, S.H.I.E.L.D. is still learning about enhanced individuals. Putting us under oversight from people who don't fully understand our capabilities creates friction and inefficiency."
"Which is why I'm building a team rather than recruiting individuals in isolation," Fury countered. "The Avengers would have internal accountability—you'd check each other, provide perspective, and collectively make better decisions than any individual operating alone."
"That assumes the team functions cohesively," Natasha observed. "From what I've seen, enhanced individuals tend toward strong personalities and independent operation. Putting them together could create as many conflicts as it resolves."
"Which is why we'll have leadership," Fury said, looking at Rogers. "Captain, you've led teams in combat. You understand strategy, tactics, and how to coordinate different capabilities toward common objectives. I want you as the Avengers' field commander."
Rogers' expression showed surprise. "Sir, I've been awake in this century for less than a month. I'm still learning how modern warfare works, let alone how to lead enhanced individuals with capabilities I don't fully understand."
"But you understand leadership," Fury insisted. "You know how to inspire people, make hard decisions under pressure, and maintain moral clarity when situations get complicated. Those qualities don't change with technology."
Su Chen watched the exchange with interest. Fury was positioning Rogers as the moral center and tactical commander—someone who could unite different personalities through respect rather than authority. It was clever, assuming Rogers could adapt to the modern context quickly enough.
"Director Fury," Su Chen said, drawing attention back to himself. "I appreciate the offer, and I understand your objectives. But I need to be direct—my network operates based on voluntary association and mutual benefit. If the Avengers Initiative means surrendering that autonomy for organizational oversight, I'll have to decline."
"You'd rather operate outside official sanction?" Fury challenged.
"I'd rather maintain the flexibility to respond to situations without waiting for authorization," Su Chen clarified. "Director, your organization is impressive. But it's also bureaucratic, compromised by internal factions, and constrained by political considerations. My network isn't. That makes us more effective for certain operations."
"Compromised by internal factions?" Fury's eye narrowed. "Explain."
Su Chen had been waiting for this opening. "How much do you know about Hydra's current status, Director?"
The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Rogers straightened, his entire demeanor shifting at the mention of his historical enemy. Natasha's expression remained neutral, but her body language showed increased alertness.
"Hydra was destroyed in 1945," Fury stated flatly. "Captain Rogers and the Howling Commandos eliminated their leadership. The organization was dismantled."
"The leadership was eliminated," Su Chen corrected. "The organization adapted. Hydra didn't die, Director—it metastasized. Key personnel embedded themselves in various institutions, including the organization that eventually became S.H.I.E.L.D. They've been operating in your shadows for decades."
"That's a serious accusation," Coulson said carefully. "Do you have evidence?"
"I have intelligence suggesting Hydra's presence in multiple government and private organizations," Su Chen replied, choosing his words carefully. He couldn't reveal the full extent of Babata's infiltration into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s systems without compromising his own security. "I've been investigating patterns—weapons development, resource allocation, communication networks. The signatures are consistent with a shadow organization operating inside legitimate structures."
"Hydra inside S.H.I.E.L.D.," Rogers said quietly, his face showing controlled fury. "If that's true, it means everything we fought for in the war is compromised."
"If it's true," Fury emphasized. "Mr. Su Chen, this is exactly the kind of intelligence that requires immediate verification. If you have evidence of Hydra infiltration, I need it now."
"I'll provide what I have," Su Chen agreed. "But Director, understand—if Hydra has infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. at significant levels, then sharing intelligence through your official channels risks alerting them. We need to be strategic about how we verify and respond to this threat."
Fury was silent for a long moment, his single eye boring into Su Chen with an intensity that would have been intimidating to someone less experienced. Finally, he spoke. "Alright. Here's what's going to happen. Mr. Su Chen, you're going to provide Agent Romanoff with everything you have on potential Hydra infiltration. She'll verify it independently, using resources that even I won't be fully briefed on. If your intelligence checks out, we'll coordinate a response. If it doesn't, we're going to have a very different conversation about your reliability."
"Acceptable," Su Chen nodded. He'd anticipated this response and prepared information that would verify without revealing his full capabilities. Babata had compiled evidence from financial transactions, communication patterns, and personnel assignments—enough to prove Hydra's existence without exposing how comprehensively Su Chen had penetrated S.H.I.E.L.D.'s systems.
"Now, back to the Avengers Initiative," Fury continued. "Su Chen, I understand your concerns about autonomy. Here's my counter-offer: You and your network maintain operational independence for most activities. But when S.H.I.E.L.D. identifies threats that require coordinated response from multiple enhanced individuals, you participate as part of the Avengers under Captain Rogers' tactical command. You're not S.H.I.E.L.D. employees, but you are allies who respond when called."
"A coalition model rather than direct employment," Su Chen mused. "That's more workable. But I'd want clear parameters on what constitutes a situation requiring Avengers response. I won't have my operations interrupted for issues S.H.I.E.L.D. could handle with conventional resources."
"Agreed," Fury said. "The Avengers are for threats that exceed normal response capabilities. Alien invasions, enhanced individuals running amok, weapons of mass destruction—situations where conventional forces would be insufficient."
"And operational discretion in the field?" Su Chen pressed. "If Captain Rogers is tactical commander, he makes decisions about engagement protocols. But individual Avengers maintain authority over their own capabilities and methods."
Rogers looked uncomfortable with that framework. "With respect, unified command means everyone follows the tactical plan. Individual discretion creates chaos in combat situations."
"Captain, I understand your perspective," Su Chen replied. "But enhanced individuals aren't conventional soldiers. We have unique capabilities that require judgment calls standard tactics can't account for. I'll follow tactical direction, but I won't surrender my ability to adapt to situations using methods you might not understand or approve of."
"That's exactly the kind of attitude that gets people killed," Rogers countered, his voice carrying the authority of someone who'd led men in combat. "In the field, everyone follows command structure. Otherwise, coordination breaks down and we become a liability to each other."
The tension between different leadership philosophies was palpable. Rogers represented military discipline and unified command. Su Chen represented autonomous operation and adaptive tactics. Both had merit, but they were fundamentally incompatible.
"Gentlemen," Natasha interjected smoothly, "perhaps we're approaching this wrong. The Avengers shouldn't be a military unit with rigid hierarchy. It should be a team of specialists who trust each other's expertise. Captain Rogers provides tactical coordination. Individual members contribute unique capabilities. Everyone respects each other's strengths and compensates for weaknesses."
"A team of specialists rather than a commanded unit," Fury nodded slowly. "That could work. It requires more trust and less structure, but for a small team of highly capable individuals, it might be more effective than traditional command hierarchy."
Rogers looked uncertain but nodded. "I can work with that framework. But it requires everyone being willing to coordinate and compromise when situations demand it."
"I can agree to that," Su Chen confirmed. "As long as 'compromise' doesn't mean 'do things Rogers' way because he's designated field commander.' Mutual respect and coordination go both directions."
"Noted," Rogers said, though his expression suggested this would be an ongoing negotiation.
Fury stood, signaling the meeting's transition. "Alright. Here's where we are: Captain Rogers is confirmed for the Avengers. Su Chen and his network are provisional—pending verification of the Hydra intelligence and demonstration that you can coordinate effectively with other team members. Stark is being approached through different channels. And we're evaluating several other candidates."
He pulled up a display showing additional profiles. "Dr. Bruce Banner—currently in India, avoiding contact. Clint Barton—our agent, currently on assignment but being recalled. And we're tracking several other enhanced individuals who might be suitable."
"What about Thor?" Su Chen asked. "He demonstrated both power and willingness to protect Earth. Seems like an obvious candidate."
"Thor is off-world handling Asgardian business," Fury replied. "When he returns—if he returns—we'll make the offer. But we can't build a team around someone who might not be available."
"Fair enough," Su Chen acknowledged.
"One more thing," Fury's tone became harder. "The Brooklyn operation last night—the trafficking ring that was dismantled by unknown enhanced individuals. That was your network."
It wasn't a question. Su Chen didn't bother denying it. "It was. Fourteen victims recovered, multiple criminals apprehended, and intelligence gathered about a larger organization that's been operating under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s radar for years."
"Without coordination, authorization, or oversight," Fury stated.
"Without delay, bureaucracy, or the risk of alerting moles who might have warned the targets," Su Chen countered. "Director, those people were being processed for sale or worse. Every day of official procedure would have been another day of torture for them. I made the call that immediate action was more important than proper channels."
"And if you'd been wrong?" Fury challenged. "If it had been a legitimate operation you misidentified? If civilians had been hurt in the crossfire?"
"Then I would have taken responsibility," Su Chen replied firmly. "But I wasn't wrong. The intelligence was solid, the operation was executed flawlessly, and fourteen people are alive and free because my network acted. That has to count for something."
Fury was silent for a moment. "It counts. But it also demonstrates exactly why I want the Avengers Initiative—to provide structure and coordination for enhanced individuals who think their power gives them the right to make unilateral decisions about operations that affect thousands of people."
"Or to ensure that when decisions need to be made quickly, there's a framework for making them that doesn't require going through seventeen levels of authorization," Su Chen shot back.
"Both can be true," Natasha observed. "Director, Su Chen's operation achieved positive results with minimal complications. That suggests his network has capability and discipline. Rather than focusing on the lack of coordination, maybe we should focus on establishing better communication protocols so future operations can be coordinated when appropriate while still allowing rapid response when necessary."
Fury looked at her, then at Su Chen. "Agent Romanoff makes a good point. Fine. Mr. Su Chen, you're going to provide us with communication protocols for your network. Not identities, not full operational details, but methods for S.H.I.E.L.D. to contact you rapidly when situations develop that require coordination. In exchange, we'll provide you with intelligence on threats we identify that might be relevant to your operations."
"That's acceptable," Su Chen agreed. "Information sharing benefits everyone."
"Good," Fury said. "Now get out of my conference room. I have a dozen other situations that need attention. Agent Romanoff, stay behind—we need to discuss the Hydra investigation. Captain Rogers, Agent Coulson will coordinate your continued orientation to modern operations. Su Chen, expect contact within forty-eight hours regarding communication protocols."
As Su Chen departed the Helicarrier, he felt satisfied with the outcome. He'd positioned his network as provisional Avengers allies while maintaining operational independence. He'd planted the seed about Hydra's infiltration, which would create internal investigation that weakened S.H.I.E.L.D.'s cohesion while protecting his own position. And he'd begun establishing relationships with key individuals—Rogers, Romanoff, and Coulson—who would be central to future events.
"Master," Babata's voice came through their neural link. "The Hydra revelation was well-played. Fury will investigate, but his paranoia means he'll struggle to determine who he can trust. That creates opportunity for us to position ourselves as reliable allies while his organization deals with internal conflict."
"Exactly," Su Chen confirmed. "And by providing Romanoff with verifiable intelligence, we establish credibility that will serve us in future interactions. Fury will confirm we're telling the truth about Hydra, which makes him more likely to trust other intelligence we provide."
He returned to the warehouse headquarters to find his team assembled—along with a new face. Elektra Natchios stood near the window, her posture relaxed but ready, examining the facility with professional interest.
"Miss Natchios," Su Chen greeted. "Thank you for coming. I trust you found the location acceptable?"
"Secure, well-positioned, and equipped better than I expected," Elektra observed. "You're more organized than most vigilante operations I've encountered."
"We're not vigilantes," Luke corrected. "We're enhanced individuals who've chosen to work together for mutual benefit and protection of our communities."
"An important distinction," Elektra acknowledged with a slight smile. "Very well. Enhanced individuals with organization and resources. That makes you more useful than I initially projected."
"Let's discuss The Hand," Su Chen said, moving to the command center. He pulled up the intelligence they'd gathered, showing The Hand's facility locations, leadership structure, and the ritual timeline Nobu had revealed. "We've captured one of their five fingers—Nobu Yoshioka—and extracted comprehensive intelligence about their operations in North America. Your expertise can verify and expand on what we've learned."
Elektra studied the displays with intense focus. After several minutes, she nodded. "This is accurate as far as it goes. But there are elements Nobu wouldn't know about—The Hand's leadership structure has internal compartmentalization. Each finger knows their own operations but has limited knowledge of the others' activities. That prevents exactly what you've done—capturing one finger and compromising the entire organization."
"Which means taking down their North American operations requires hitting all five fingers simultaneously," Su Chen concluded. "Otherwise, the survivors will vanish and rebuild."
"Precisely," Elektra confirmed. "But there's something else. The Beast they're trying to summon isn't just a dimensional entity that feeds on life force. It's specifically connected to The Hand's resurrection techniques. They serve it, and in exchange, it allows them to return from death through mystical connections that link their souls to its dimensional realm."
"A parasitic relationship," Saeko observed. "The Hand gets pseudo-immortality, the Beast gets a permanent foothold in this dimension through its servants."
"If we destroy the gateway before the ritual completes, what happens to The Hand's resurrection capabilities?" Jessica asked.
"They're severed," Elektra said with grim satisfaction. "Every Hand operative who's relied on resurrection loses that safety net. They become mortal again—vulnerable and unable to return if killed. That's why The Hand is so focused on completing the ritual. Once the Beast fully manifests, their immortality becomes permanent and independent of the gateway."
Su Chen processed this information, his tactical mind already adjusting operational plans. "Then our objective is clear. We don't just need to dismantle The Hand's facilities—we need to destroy the gateway and complete the severance before the ritual finishes. That eliminates both the immediate threat of dimensional invasion and the long-term threat of The Hand's leadership."
"There's one complication," Elektra warned. "The gateway is protected by more than just The Hand. They've made arrangements with other mystical organizations—mercenaries and cultists who benefit from The Beast's favor. When we assault the gateway, we'll face opposition from multiple sources."
"Then we need overwhelming force," Esdeath stated. "Multiple teams, coordinated strikes, and absolute commitment to destroying the gateway regardless of cost."
"Agreed," Su Chen nodded. "Which means we need to expand our coalition. Luke, has Daredevil agreed to coordination?"
"He's in," Luke confirmed. "He'll bring several allies who've been fighting The Hand independently. We're looking at maybe twenty to twenty-five enhanced individuals total if we coordinate properly."
"That's sufficient for the operation I'm planning," Su Chen said. He pulled up a three-dimensional tactical display showing The Hand's gateway location beneath Chinatown. "Here's how we're going to end The Hand's presence in North America..."
As he outlined the operation in detail, Su Chen felt the familiar satisfaction of pieces moving into position. The Hand would be dismantled, providing both immediate benefit—saving potential victims—and long-term advantage—eliminating an ancient organization that could have complicated future operations. The intelligence gathered would establish his network's credibility with S.H.I.E.L.D. And the coordination with other enhanced individuals would expand his influence across New York's vigilante community.
The convergence was approaching, and Su Chen was positioned exactly where he needed to be—at the center of multiple factions, collecting power, knowledge, and influence as the era of heroes began in earnest.
The harvest continued, and the storm was very close now.