Tony Enters the Fray

The moment Shendu left the conference room, every trace of humility vanished from his face.

Shendu entered an empty room, took out his communicator, and called Tony.

"Mr. Stark, do you have a moment? Director Fury wants to see you."

Tony's provocative voice came from the other end of the communicator. "Looks like you've joined S.H.I.E.L.D. now. I thought you wouldn't join that organization even if S.H.I.E.L.D. collapsed."

Shendu remained silent for a while. Tony had just mentioned S.H.I.E.L.D.'s collapse. He knew Tony was mocking him.

"Don't joke around, Mr. Stark. Based on what I currently know and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s presence in this world, no organization could possibly bring S.H.I.E.L.D. down."

Tony's tone turned even more provocative. "Who knows? If S.H.I.E.L.D. can't be brought down from the outside, who's to say something won't go wrong within it?"

Without waiting for Shendu to respond, Tony continued on his own. "I already know what Fury did at the board meeting, and I know why he wants to see me. The last time I tampered with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s facilities, I probably made him unhappy a long time ago."

"So what are you planning to do? You know there's a problem, yet you're still coming." No emotion could be heard in Shendu's voice.

"Fury should be under the effects of psychological manipulation. Even if I go now, there's not much he can do to me. After all, most of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s equipment is currently supplied by Stark Industries."

Tony paused as if considering something, then finally laughed. "With Fury's current capabilities, he wouldn't dare touch me. You're not here to talk me out of it, are you? I'd advise you not to waste your breath."

"Besides, I know he used the Mind Stone to control you. But that trick won't work on me. I don't have a 'heart.'"

The call ended. Shendu smiled. Tony was too smart. Smart people often died because of their own cleverness. They always thought they had seen through everything, never realizing that some traps had been made specifically for them.

Fury stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the city below. New York's countless roads were like knives, carving the city apart for his enjoyment.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Coulson entered the conference room with a stack of documents in hand, concern visible in his eyes. "Director, regarding the launch of the two missiles, the military has sent an inquiry. They said they never received a request for authorization and require us to..."

"Burn it." Fury did not take the matter seriously.

Coulson froze. "What?!"

Fury turned around, a cold glint flashing in his one eye. "I said burn it. Then tell the military that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s internal affairs are none of their concern."

Coulson stood rooted to the spot and did not immediately carry out the order.

"Director."

Coulson tried to interpret Fury's meaning. "According to procedure, we do need to submit a report to the military. If we skip this step, it could lead to..."

"Coulson," Fury interrupted, "how many years have you been with me?"

"Twelve years." Coulson thought for a moment before answering.

"Twelve years." Fury repeated his answer. "Over these twelve years, you should know that my decisions have never needed a second person to question them."

Coulson lowered his head and said nothing. The Fury before him felt unfamiliar.

"I understand. I'll handle it immediately." Coulson closed the documents, took a step back, and turned to leave.

"Wait."

Coulson stopped.

Fury's voice came from behind him. "Is Hill investigating something?"

Coulson's back stiffened. "She's only conducting a resource inventory, Director."

"Is that so?"

Fury walked over to Coulson and patted his shoulder. "Then tell her to stop at the inventory. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s resources are now allocated personally by me. She doesn't need to worry about them."

At the same time, at Stark Industries Tower.

Tony stood before his workbench, the phone in his hand suspended in midair.

"JARVIS, pull up S.H.I.E.L.D.'s public communications records."

"Searching, sir."

JARVIS's voice echoed through the hall. "Over the past twenty-four hours, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s communications with the military have decreased by eighty percent, while communications with the federal government have been completely cut off."

Tony frowned slightly. "Has Fury really been blinded by the Mind Stone's power?"

"Would you like me to infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D.'s network?" JARVIS asked.

Tony shook his head. "No. Monitoring them too frequently would only attract Fury's attention."

Not long afterward, Tony received another call from S.H.I.E.L.D. This time, it was Coulson. "Mr. Stark, I'm downstairs at Stark Industries. Director Fury has been waiting for some time and sent me to bring you over."

As Tony got into Coulson's car, he teased, "In such a hurry? Valmont just called me, and then you came to pick me up."

Coulson did not answer. He did not know what Fury was thinking now, nor did he know how to respond.

The two barely spoke for the rest of the drive, arriving awkwardly beneath S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.

Tony entered S.H.I.E.L.D. with both hands in his pockets. His right index finger lightly tapped twice inside one pocket, and JARVIS's voice sounded in his ear.

"Signal normal, sir. There are thirty-two life-sign readings nearby, most of them concentrated around the corner ahead of you."

Thirty-two.

Tony whistled and turned the corner. Fury's office door stood open. Fury sat behind his desk, his hands folded atop it.

Fury lowered his voice and silently watched Tony with his one eye, his tone deep. "You're here."

"No kidding. I'm standing right here." Tony walked into the office and looked around. "Where's Valmont? Didn't that guy call me? Why isn't he here now?"

Fury rose from his chair, walked around the desk, and approached Tony step by step.

"He has another assignment." Fury stopped before Tony. "Tony, I called you here because there's something I want to discuss with you."

Tony raised an eyebrow, putting on a puzzled expression. "What is it?"

"Hand over Stark Industries' new energy technology to S.H.I.E.L.D." Fury was very direct.

Tony froze for a moment. He had thought Fury had called him here to make him explain what had happened with Stark Industries equipment malfunctioning within S.H.I.E.L.D. before.

Tony could not hold back his laughter. He laughed brazenly. "Do you know what you're saying?"

Fury stared at Tony without blinking. "Hand over the technology. Stark Industries doesn't need such powerful energy. It's wasteful. But at S.H.I.E.L.D., this technology can protect the world."

"And if I refuse?" Tony's voice turned cold.

Fury clapped his hands. Without any warning, the office door shut, and JARVIS's urgent voice sounded in Tony's ear.

"Sir, the thirty-two life signs in the corridor are moving toward you. I recommend immediate evacuation."

Tony felt someone pat his shoulder from behind. Valmont's voice entered his ears.

"Nice to see you again, Mr. Stark."