Pressuring the Military

Tony stared at Shendu and burst out laughing uncontrollably.

"An angel."

Tony repeated the word. "Do you think I'm an idiot? Heaven sent an angel down, and that angel infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. and even let me draw his blood for research?"

Shendu's expression did not change in the slightest. "You wanted proof. I already gave you an explanation."

Tony leaned back in his chair and drained the drink in his hand. "You only told me a story. There wasn't anything in your blood that made me feel it was sacred."

Seeing Shendu's glow in his eyes grow even more dazzling, Tony stopped pretending. He took a small device from his pocket and placed it on the table. Shendu could sense his own aura within it.

"Don't waste your effort. This is a filter made from substances extracted from your blood. It lets me resist mental interference to a certain extent. Stop playing tricks, Mr. Valmont."

Shendu's expression remained unchanged. "You used my blood to make this? It's a good idea, but why didn't you expose me in front of Fury?"

Tony waved a hand. "I already told you, I don't have a good impression of S.H.I.E.L.D. anymore. Helping Fury deal with you wouldn't benefit me at all. Besides, we were partners at the time."

Tony paused. "Of course, we still are. We have a common enemy."

Tony pointed out the bar window, toward S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. "Fury has gone insane."

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

Fury sat in his office. Three files lay spread across the desk before him.

Complete information on three military colonels, including their home addresses, daily schedules, weaknesses, and compromising material that could be exploited.

"General Ross has become obsessed with the Hulk project."

Fury tapped one of the files with his finger. "His daughter's relationship with Banner can be used as a breakthrough."

Agent Hill stood to one side, her expression grave. "Director, taking action against senior military officials has already exceeded S.H.I.E.L.D.'s authority."

Fury looked up and stared at Hill. She felt a chill run down her spine. "Authority? S.H.I.E.L.D.'s authority exists to deal with threats. The military refuses to cooperate with us now, which makes them a threat."

"But, Director..." Hill tried to speak.

"Enough!"

Fury said, "I understand your concerns, but these are extraordinary times. Go out first, and call Coulson over while you're at it."

Hill hesitated for a moment before finally turning and leaving. As she stepped out of the office, she exchanged a look with Coulson.

"Director, you asked for me?" Coulson stood respectfully before Fury.

Fury looked at Coulson. "Do you think my actions are too radical now? Or even wrong?"

Coulson lowered his head, seemingly lost in thought, and did not answer Fury's question.

Fury stood and walked over to Coulson. "It's normal that you don't understand. With your perspective, you can't see the plans I see."

"Hill, even Steve and Natasha think I'm being too radical. But do you know what being radical really means?"

"You've already lived through Loki leading the Chitauri invasion of Earth. Faced with threats from the universe, those generals lying around in the military-industrial complex do nothing. That is the greatest mistake."

Coulson lowered his head. "I understand your concerns, Director."

"No, you don't. You don't understand at all."

Fury patted Coulson on the shoulder. "The matter with the generals is only a small issue. The key point is that we repelled the invaders by relying on individual strength."

"They possess tremendous power, yet there is no guarantee of their loyalty. That is the greatest threat."

Coulson kept his head lowered. At that moment, he could clearly sense the wildness in Fury's words, along with his desire to control everything.

"Do you know what's most ridiculous?" Fury no longer bothered to hide his tone. "The most ridiculous thing is that all I can control is a dragon named Valmont who crossed over from another world."

"Coulson." Fury handed him a tablet. "I have a mission for you."

Coulson took the tablet and frowned slightly at its contents. "This requires access to the military's core database."

After Coulson left, Fury activated his communicator. "Surveillance team, report the current situation."

A reply came through the communicator. "Steve is currently in his dormitory with no unusual activity. Natasha is in the gym, likewise with no unusual activity. Tony is with Valmont, who is carrying out surveillance duties."

Fury frowned. "With Valmont there, Tony doesn't need your surveillance. Just keep an eye on the others, and make sure you don't expose yourselves."

The next day, at a joint military and S.H.I.E.L.D. meeting.

General Ross slammed a stack of documents onto the conference table, his face livid. "Fury, what is the meaning of this? Freezing our overseas funds? Is S.H.I.E.L.D. planning to completely turn against the military?!"

Fury's expression remained unchanged. "This is the Security Council's decision. All shareholders agreed unanimously. Your military operations have no purpose beyond wasting money."

"The Security Council?" Ross sneered. "Don't think I don't know how many people you've planted in the Security Council."

Fury rose to his feet, his eyes devoid of emotion. "We are merely carrying out our duties. Protecting Earth's security is S.H.I.E.L.D.'s highest priority. If the military's actions interfere with that, we have the right to exercise our authority."

The meeting ended on bad terms. As Ross was leaving, he ran into Steve standing guard in the corridor.

Ross stopped and asked probingly, "Captain, you've noticed Fury's current style as well. Don't you have anything to say?"

Steve's expression was calm. "General, I'm only following orders."

Ross shook his head. "Following orders? I remember you had quite a different attitude when you were dealing with Hydra back then."

When Steve saw Fury emerge, he ignored Ross and turned to follow Fury away.

The atmosphere within S.H.I.E.L.D. grew increasingly tense.

Whispers among ordinary agents became more frequent.

Some supported Fury's methods, believing they were necessary in the face of threats. Others felt uneasy about what he was doing. The once rational, steady director was drifting farther and farther away from them.

At lunchtime, several agents gathered together.

"Did you hear? Three more people from the European branch were transferred back to headquarters for interrogation."

"Interrogation? What were they charged with?"

"Apparently, they disagreed with the director's decisions."

"What kind of charge is that?"

"Now it is a charge, and a very serious one at that."

An older agent lowered his voice. "I heard that the wall in the director's office is no longer covered with medals, but with a list of people who might threaten him."

"Where did you hear that?"

The older agent did not answer. He pretended to be hungry and wolfed down his food. The agent beside him was about to keep asking when Valmont's voice sounded behind him.

"Focus on eating during lunch. Efficiency is important for agents."

The agent's heart skipped a beat at the sound of that voice. Everyone in S.H.I.E.L.D. now knew Valmont's name.

He was Fury's executioner now.