S.H.I.E.L.D.

The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division—the name was truly a mouthful. The Triskelion stood by the river, covering an enormous area.

Alexander Pierce stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of his ministerial office, gazing at the massive base. Who should I send? He had already promoted Nick Fury to director, while he himself was now only responsible for liaising with the World Security Council. Though he could still control things here, doing so would be far too obvious. He needed to stay hidden, and Nick Fury was no simple man.

After some thought, he decided he could not bypass Nick Fury in this matter. It would be better to have Fury send someone. If they truly found talent or technology belonging to the other party, recruiting them within S.H.I.E.L.D. or taking the technology would not be difficult. Besides, he could continue to remain in hiding.

With that in mind, he rose at once, took the elevator downstairs, and entered Nick Fury's director's office. "Nick!"

"Why are you here?" Nick Fury asked in surprise.

They were only a few floors apart, but Nick Fury had never casually gone to see Alexander Pierce, always maintaining his distance. Though Pierce had promoted him, the conscientious Fury had no desire to draw closer to him. A professional relationship was enough.

"Heh, if you won't come upstairs, then I'll come down!" Alexander Pierce said with a smile. Then he got to the point. "Actually, there's something. I know the mayor of New York City, and they've run into a problem. That's why he asked me for help, so I had no choice but to come to you."

"What could possibly require our help?" S.H.I.E.L.D.'s duty was not to handle trivial matters, but strange incidents that threatened Earth, while ensuring ordinary people remained unaware of them.

"A bank in New York was robbed. So far, the method appears extremely bizarre. They suspect someone used computer technology to control the bank's security system and the New York Traffic Monitoring Center. Tony Stark is there right now. He has no way of infiltrating it silently and leaving without a trace, and the New York Police also believes no human could achieve that level of technology. It was most likely the work of an Artificial Intelligence," Alexander Pierce said.

"Artificial Intelligence? Has a true Artificial Intelligence been born?" Nick Fury could not help taking the term seriously. He understood the terror of Artificial Intelligence better than the New York Police did, though for now it was only theoretical.

"I'm not sure. That's why I think we should intervene this time. If such technology truly exists, then S.H.I.E.L.D. must obtain it. The current world cannot withstand the side effects that technology would bring," Alexander Pierce said righteously.

Nick Fury nodded as well. "That's right. If such technology truly exists, Earth indeed cannot bear its side effects at present." Artificial Intelligence was not wholly beneficial. If true Artificial Intelligence came into being, the current Earth simply could not handle it. Capitalists would do everything possible to obtain it, then lay off vast numbers of workers. A massive wave of unemployment would threaten social stability.

At the same time, S.H.I.E.L.D. had always possessed the world's greatest collection of advanced technology. Artificial Intelligence was not something current technology could develop. Nick Fury knew about Tony Stark's Jarvis, but it did not count as true Artificial Intelligence. Therefore, Nick Fury suspected this might be alien technology. Alexander Pierce was not wrong this time; S.H.I.E.L.D. should mobilize.

"I understand. I'll arrange for someone to go," Nick Fury said, nodding in agreement.

"Good. I'll be going, then. Oh, and come visit me when you have time. It's only one floor up!" Alexander Pierce said with a smile as he left, showing not the slightest sign of anything being wrong.

Nick Fury considered it for a moment. He intended to send two agents he was currently cultivating. As for technical support, S.H.I.E.L.D. could provide it remotely; there was no need to send technicians directly.

With that thought, he picked up the phone. "Send Melinda May and Phil Coulson to my office." They were both Level Five agents and precisely the people Nick Fury was grooming. He had not been director for long, but after reviewing the files of numerous agents, he had naturally selected a few to cultivate into his confidants.

Peggy Carter had discovered Melinda May's talent when she was young. Though only twenty-five this year, she had already served as an agent for many years. Skilled in hand-to-hand combat, assassination, driving, and shooting, she was an outstanding field operative.

Phil Coulson, meanwhile, possessed exceptionally strong organizational and operational abilities, with tremendous potential for cultivation. In particular, he followed the agent code in everything he did, never making the slightest mistake. Though he was only a Level Five agent, the abilities he displayed were incomparably outstanding, making Nick Fury eager to cultivate him.

For this operation, Melinda May's role was purely to provide forceful support. As for who would truly take charge, Nick Fury had already tacitly designated Phil Coulson.

Knock, knock. A knock sounded at the door. "Come in!"

A man and a woman entered, both dressed in suits. They stopped before Nick Fury's desk. "Director!"

"Mm. I have a mission for the two of you. The mission level has not yet been determined..." After saying that, Nick Fury looked at them with his one remaining eye.

Melinda May frowned slightly, showing a small degree of resistance toward a mission with such unclear circumstances. Phil Coulson, however, had worn a warm smile ever since entering the office. He seemed highly approachable. Even with the mission level unknown, he displayed no reaction at all, as though smiling was simply his usual expression.

"For the details of the mission, go to NYPD headquarters and speak with their commissioner, Ken Martin, as well as the detective in charge of the case, George Stacy. You must also keep an eye on someone else. Tony Stark is there too. There's no need to test him; simply observe him. Understood?"

"Yes, Director!" The two accepted the mission. Melinda May turned and left immediately, but Phil Coulson asked one more question. "Director, under what identity are we going?"

Nick Fury remained expressionless and answered casually, "Use our department's name."

"Understood!" Only then did Phil Coulson turn and follow Melinda May out. After they left the office, Nick Fury finally revealed a satisfied smile.

The mission information was unclear, and Nick Fury had no intention of saying more, so the identity they used on the mission became the key point. S.H.I.E.L.D. held great authority. Its agents could assume any identity when going out, and their credentials would all be genuine. Only Phil Coulson had noticed that point. He truly was worth cultivating. In the future, he would surely be able to stand on his own.