Banner stood up and turned to Lucian.
His expression grew extremely serious.
"But before we get started, there's something I need to get straight."
Banner looked straight into Lucian's eyes.
"If we develop this device and screen every last one of these lizards, what do you intend to do?"
Lucian leaned back in his chair.
"Those not of our kind are bound to have different loyalties."
Lucian's voice was calm, but his words carried unmistakable murderous intent.
"I'm going to drive them off this planet, every last one."
Banner stood there, staring at Lucian for a full five seconds.
He neither argued nor spouted any nonsense about universal love.
After being hunted and betrayed by the military, Banner had long since stopped being that naive bookworm.
"All right."
Inside S.H.I.E.L.D., however, it was a different scene.
Pierce raised his hand and swept every folder on his desk onto the floor.
Pages fluttered down and scattered everywhere.
"Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!"
Pierce pointed at Maria Hill, who stood in the office doorway, trembling with anger.
"Aliens! A bunch of green-skinned monsters who can turn into anyone they like! They've been hiding right under our noses, in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s core departments, for over a decade!"
Hill stood ramrod straight by the door, not daring to speak while Pierce was in a rage.
S.H.I.E.L.D. deputy director
Being berated like this was humiliating, and she seethed with frustration, yet she could not offer a single word in rebuttal.
The memories Lucian had forcibly shoved into everyone's minds were still ricocheting through her nerves.
Those lizards with their green, wrinkled skin had not only enjoyed free access to classified archives, but had even carried out assassinations and planted replacements around the world under Nick Fury's orders.
Pierce braced both hands on the edge of his desk, his