The door to the reception room opened.
Lucian strode in, with Simona in high heels and Wanda following close behind on either side. Dr. Banner and Pietro brought up the rear.
The room, previously filled with hushed discussion, instantly fell deathly silent.
Every gaze in the room converged on Lucian.
Tony stood leaning against the windowsill, a wineglass in hand and a grim expression on his face. Beside him, Colonel Rhodes stood with military bearing, his eyes conflicted; on the long sofa, Steve Rogers held down the cloth bag containing his round shield, while Natasha and Barton wore grave expressions; in a specially made steel chair in the corner, Nick Fury sat with magnetic cuffs on both wrists, his lone eye submerged in shadow; Coulson, Melinda, and Ward stood beside Fury, the atmosphere oppressive to the extreme.
Lucian used Soul Discrimination to check Rhodey. It seemed he had not been replaced yet. As for the rest, quite the full house had turned up. It seemed his televised speech really had snapped the nerves of every faction.
Simona hurried forward and reported quietly beside Lucian, "Boss, Alexander Pierce has arrived by helicopter at the Rooftop Helipad. Should I have him wait in the waiting room first?"
Lucian swept his gaze over everyone in the room. "No need. There are plenty of people here already. One more or one less makes no difference."
Lucian casually waved a hand.
A ring of dazzling sparks lit up in midair, and a circular Portal tore open a passage directly between the helipad several floors above and the reception room.
Pierce had just stepped out of the helicopter and was about to straighten the hem of his suit when the ground suddenly vanished beneath his feet.
"Holy shit!"
The Hydra leader, normally so polished, imposing, and