Recruiting Staff

No one found it strange.

In America, plenty of people directly shot and killed anyone who trespassed into their yard.

For idiots who came to kidnap someone and even tore down their front door, Oaks had every right to shoot them dead on the spot.

Under Coulson's arrangements, that squad of mercenaries vanished from the face of the earth.

"They didn't know who hired them either. Under our methods, they even confessed to peeking at girls bathing when they were kids. There was no way they could keep anything hidden.

"Through other channels, our investigation could only rule out the U.S. Military."

Coulson and Melinda looked at Oaks and Dr. Yinsen across from them.

"It seems our previous concerns have come true. Dr. Yinsen, you possess intelligence they need. They can't make a move against Mr. Stark, so they came after you—

"This is the first time, but it may not be the last. So perhaps you could come to our S.H.I.E.L.D..."

"All right, Agent Coulson. Dr. Yinsen is my employee now, and I'll protect him.

"I suppose I know why this bunch's code names started with five. The first four probably died because they had no brains, right?"

Oaks waved a hand, cutting off Coulson's suggestion.

"This incident had a terrible impact. Many members witnessed that idiotic invasion with their own eyes, so until the truth comes out, these employees can only take temporary leave."

"...Actually, compared to armed trespassers breaking in, I think the main reason they need time off is seeing you, their president, display such terrifying power."

Melinda could not help but complain.

"Good Lord. I knew you wouldn't hold back, but couldn't you have made it less bloody? Where did you throw away your image as a safe and harmless scientist?"

"Uh, I'll pay attention to that next time. How about plant neurotoxins?"

Oaks stroked his chin in reflection. He had indeed been a little too angry this time and lost control.

"Or killer bee swarms? Fungi? Microorganisms? Why are you looking at me like that? I don't enjoy researching how to kill people. They forced me to.

"You should know that if I hadn't been here, their actions might have been idiotic, but they definitely would have succeeded."

"What an undeserved disaster."

Dr. Yinsen shook his head with a bitter smile. President Oaks had killed those people without even blinking. No wonder he was Tony's friend. Tony had killed so many Ten Rings members in Afghanistan without his expression changing either.

Weren't scientists supposed to be like him—unable to hit anyone even while holding an assault rifle?

"I don't have any intelligence they want. I was only Tony's assistant for a while, just doing odd jobs."

Now he could only rely on Oaks. If the two senior agents before him took him away, he might not suffer much, but Tony's secrets would inevitably be exposed.

Although he had never peeked at girls bathing as a child, he really did know the intelligence they were interested in.

"Lots of people like to assume they know everything. Explaining won't help."

Oaks shrugged, his expression utterly serious.

"As for those who refuse to believe it, let them come. I don't mind having extra fertilizer. Of course, if there are any more idiots like today's, I'll have to personally speak with Director Fury."

They couldn't possibly raise their actions to the level of a terrorist attack and still expect him, an ordinary citizen, to handle it himself!

"...All right, Oaks, Dr. Yinsen. S.H.I.E.L.D. will handle the aftermath of this matter. The New York police are somewhat useful, so there probably won't be another large-scale attack."

Coulson tried to maintain a smile, though everyone could hear the helplessness in his voice.

"If it really happens again... please notify me immediately."

"Don't worry, Melinda is here. Besides, during this period, I need to recruit some people with professional expertise for the Benevolence Society. For example, who should I ask for compensation for my front door this time?"

Should he learn from S.H.I.E.L.D. and hire some professional consultants too? Oak Environmental Technology Company also needed more staff.

A dignified technology company couldn't possibly have only two people: its chairman and an employee!

The moment the idea appeared, Oaks felt there was no time to waste. He needed to start preparing immediately.

Meanwhile, Coulson returned to report the incident to Nick Fury and suppress the news.

"Director, since we've ruled out the military, I believe this likely came from one of Stark's competitors."

Coulson looked at Nick Fury, who was propping his chin on both hands in thought. Fury gave a grunt.

"So? Who are Stark's competitors? Justin Hammer? Or every arms company in America?

"Coulson, with Stark's personality, how many people do you think want him never to reappear?"

He shifted into a reclined position in his chair.

"What I need is evidence—solid evidence that can truly prove where the attack came from—not simple speculation."

"Yes, Director. But only the U.S. Military involved in the rescue, Stark Industries' upper management, and Oaks's side knew about Stark and Ho Yinsen's relationship. Excluding the military and Oaks, the only source of the information was Stark Industries.

"So it would be perfectly normal for his competitors to obtain intelligence from Stark Industries. We can't even rule out the possibility that their upper management has enemy spies."

Coulson's imagination clearly had not gone far enough.

"There is another point. The Ten Rings who kidnapped Tony—the group calling themselves freedom fighters—should know as well. Stark's enemies could also have obtained intelligence directly from them."

"So why couldn't the problem have come from inside Stark Industries?"

Nick Fury tapped the desk with one hand.

"Although there are no signs of it yet, nothing is impossible.

"Also, don't waste too much effort on Ho Yinsen. With our consultant there, you won't get anything out of him, and Melinda won't either.

"But I can be certain that Ho Yinsen really has some key technology. Oak Environmental Technology Company? Heh!

"Still, no matter how important Ho Yinsen is, he isn't as important as Tony himself. Keep watching that lead. With his personality, he'll definitely return to the public eye in a way none of us expect."

"Yes, Director. That makes a lot of sense."

So why was the other man a director while he was only a Level 7 Agent, when they had joined S.H.I.E.L.D. at roughly the same time?

Back on Oaks's side, he was discussing recruitment with Zhang. Their classmates interning at the laboratory could start work next week.

But the Benevolence Society's future development couldn't rely solely on a group of Environmental Science Department students, especially since they were only interns.

"Actually, there's no need to hire professional consultants from other fields right now. It would be better to find a few graduate students with work-study jobs to work part-time. It could also serve as extracurricular experience on their résumés, so it should be quite popular."

That was Zhang's suggestion. In fact, his own situation was pretty much the same, and his advisor was quite supportive.

"That could work. Do you have anyone in mind?"

"I actually do."

Please keep reading on Tuesday~