"All right, you can go." Lucian waved a hand.
Talos hurriedly scrambled up from the floor and bowed respectfully once more before backing out of the office, flanked by two agents.
The door closed again.
Simona checked the time and stepped forward. "Boss, should we tell Dr. Banner and the others to activate the equipment now?"
"Go ahead." Lucian set down his teacup. "Tell those two college kids to get the parameters for Full-Spectrum Genetic Resonance right this time. Pinpoint every single Skrull on Earth. No more screwups."
"Understood. Fitz and Simmons have already checked everything with Dr. Banner three times. They definitely won't miss a single small fry." Simona rapidly sent instructions on her tablet, then looked up again. "There are thirty minutes left before the deadline. Should we issue one final ultimatum to the public?"
"No need."
Lucian rose and walked to the enormous floor-to-ceiling window, looking indifferently down at the crowd already gathering in the square below.
"I already gave them a chance."
Time ticked away, second by second.
In Lower Manhattan, the towering metal tribunal platform used for the public trial of former Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Nick Fury three days earlier still stood. But today, the atmosphere around the square was even more grim and oppressive than it had been three days ago.
Heavily armed Vought security troops had already sealed off the entire block. Overhead, several attack helicopters bearing the Vought International logo circled with a roar. Dozens of high-definition cameras had been set up in the most prominent positions, broadcasting live footage to major television networks and social media platforms worldwide.
Heavy footsteps and the clanking of chains rang out.
Squads of Vought agents in black tactical body armor escorted hundreds of prisoners wearing specially designed inhibitor collars up the steps onto the tribunal