Nick Fury's Judgment

"There are two suspicious points."

Coulson fully grasped the gravity of the situation.

Even if Dr. Lin himself posed no threat, the mere fact that he had earned the trust of an orange cat... a Flerken—was a massive potential hazard.

The Flerken clearly trusted Dr. Lin implicitly, even obeying the shop assistant, who also knew how dangerous it was.

"First, none of Dr. Lin's past records show him owning a cat. His credit card spending history only includes cat food and treats starting from the night of the 22nd last month—his birthday."

As a global organization, the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division could access an ordinary person's spending data with a flick of a finger.

"So that orange cat... the Flerken, only came into contact with Dr. Lin that day. Coincidentally, his shop assistant, the international student Zhang, also moved into Dr. Lin's place that same day."

Coulson paused there, glancing at Melinda with a hint of lingering unease:

"Also... when I reviewed the surveillance footage of Dr. Lin across all of Brooklyn that day, I found a police report from a small black gang in the slums."

"Two young Asian men—one with red hair and an orange cat, the other with black hair and glasses."

"They used sorcery to eliminate four gang members. Two others from the same crew developed mental disorders, and only one, relatively sane, called the police after coming to."

"Sorcery..."

Nick Fury sighed:

"The description fits perfectly. What they called sorcery was just the Flerken attacking."

That horrifying scene, even after thirteen years, was still fresh in his mind.

"Wow, looks like I really need to buy a few potted plants to thank that fellow countryman."

Melinda patted her modest chest, once again realizing how close she'd come to danger.

"But Director, even though you've explained the biggest mystery here—the Flerken—"

Coulson pulled out a new report:

"There's still another major puzzle—Dr. Lin and the international student Zhang Shuren returned to the shop together from the slums, but none of Brooklyn's surveillance cameras caught him going there!"

"It's as if he appeared out of thin air!"

"Oh?"

Nick Fury raised an eyebrow, took the new file from Coulson, returned to his desk, sat down, and began flipping through it.

Melinda gave Coulson an odd look:

"It's not strange that surveillance didn't catch him, especially in the slums—that's perfectly normal. Besides, his shop has a back door."

"Normally, that would be true."

Fury, still reading, tapped a finger on one page and looked up:

"But combined with another suspicious point, it gets odd."

"Yes, Director."

Coulson picked up:

"Out of curiosity, I checked all of Dr. Lin's travel records. The result? Nothing."

"Nothing? Coulson, has anyone ever told you that when you drag things out like that, it makes me want to punch you in the face?"

Melinda's threat seemed to work. Coulson coughed and hurried on:

"Uh, yes, nothing. Since graduating, Dr. Lin has never used public transportation."

"All his bus, subway, train, plane, and boat records are clean. His credit card doesn't even have a single gas purchase!"

Coulson's face showed undisguised surprise:

"And Dr. Lin owns a car. It even has a few recent traffic violations—but it's never been refueled! And Melinda, remember where he went?"

"The Amazon Rainforest."

Melinda realized the problem:

"And still, no flight records?"

"Not only that—no exit records either."

It was Fury who answered, folding his hands under his chin, brow slightly furrowed:

"But he has package delivery records to Manaus, a city in the Amazon, and more than once. Don't tell me he mailed himself to the Amazon."

Then he shot a questioning look at his two subordinates:

"Finally, just as you were starting your mission, someone at the U.S. Air Force checked Dr. Lin's exit records from the past three days."

"The authorization came from Colonel James Rhodes of the Air Force Weapons Development Office."

"Tony Stark..."

Melinda gave Coulson a sardonic glance:

"Looks like their relationship goes beyond just customer and shopkeeper."

"Of course. Tomorrow, Tony Stark will announce the founding of the New York Environmental Foundation, with the two of them as partners—though it's solely funded by Stark."

Nick Fury let out a cold laugh:

"Their relationship really is complicated."

"So, Director, do we need to take any action before he gets back?"

"No. Even when Goose was with her... well, its original owner, she wasn't this stable. Let's wait and see for now."

Nick Fury knew his limits. Even if he brought Goose back, what then?

He couldn't exactly keep a muzzle on it forever. That lady would slap him into next week if she found out.

"Dr. Lin is a bit mysterious, but everything he's done so far is a textbook positive example—highly beneficial to human society. So we'll wait until we meet him in person before making any moves."

Nick Fury claimed he trusted no one, but he had absolute faith in Goose's judgment of people.

Thirteen years ago, the three people it had come into contact with: one saved Earth and was still saving different planets, one became Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., and the other founded S.W.O.R.D.

Thirteen years ago, after leaving the Tesseract in his office, it vanished without a trace. Now it had suddenly reappeared beside a mysterious biologist...

What kind of story would unfold with the two people it had chosen this time?

Nick Fury couldn't help but feel a flicker of anticipation.

"Keep digging into everything about Dr. Lin. Leave no stone unturned!"

He issued the official order:

"Melinda, Coulson leads this operation, you support. When he gets back, Coulson makes contact, you handle backup."

"Yes, sir!"

A week passed quickly. Oaks returned to New York, full of energy.

His secluded cultivation in the Amazon Rainforest had allowed him to tap into half the forest's natural power.

This also meant he could try to locate Bruce Banner, but the man had likely already left the rainforest's range.

Now, backed by the vast natural force of half the Amazon, Oaks could draw on a fraction of that power even in New York.

This was a crucial step in linking to Earth's ecosystem. With this foundation, Oaks could move forward with his plan.

"Hey, Goose, I'm back!"

Zhang hadn't returned yet. Oaks opened the shop door and saw Goose batting around a strange little ball, having a blast.

Oaks squinted at the flickering light on the ball.