"How do you want me to help you, Mr. Norman?" Nick and the projected Norman Osborn stared at each other in silence. "You know, I'm only the Captain of S.H.I.E.L.D. My authority isn't as great as you imagine.
"If it were something happening on this planet, I could help you. But this matter has already exceeded the scope of my authority. In other words, even if I wanted to help you, there's nothing I could do.
"I don't want to deceive you about that."
"I know, but you have close ties with Hebron, don't you? Since they were able to bring Captain Rogers back before, perhaps they can find my son too?
"I know everything comes at a price, and I'm willing to pay it. As long as Harry can be found, both Osborn and I will forever be your most steadfast allies. The kind that will stop at nothing." Norman Osborn spoke in a low voice.
"Sorry, but I'll say it again. I want to help you, but I can't. Let me give you some information: whether it's Luke or the major shareholders of the Energy Bank, their minds are all focused on conquering another valuable universe right now. Even if you went to them with this, you wouldn't get the response you deserve." Under Osborn's gaze, Nick slowly shook his head, his tone gentle but firm.
As the head of a violent organization like S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick knew exactly where his authority began and ended, what he should do and what he should not do.
While the Council had been in power, he had pulled plenty of little moves behind its back, skimmed and embezzled a great deal of funding, and built numerous Safe Houses all over the world. But all of that had been to prepare for and