"I never watch any TV dramas. I don't have time. I do this so I can think better, you know? All I think about every day is how to make this planet of billions of people safer. Damn it! Can you please give me less trouble in the future, for God's sake!"
Nick Fury turned to look at Qin Xiao, and said with a hint of exasperation.
"Relax, my friend, why all this trouble? Look, since we met, I've taken down drug lords, eliminated some terrorists, not to mention Obadiah and Ivan Vanko, and now I've completely wiped out the Red Room."
Qin Xiao spread his hands, looking puzzled.
"Everything I've done has made the world a better and safer place, without having to consider too many political factors or international disputes, and without you even needing to take charge. You've gotten a huge advantage, haven't you, Nick!"
"You're using a fallacy, Qin. Do you know what I mean? I formed the Avengers to stand up when the world needs them, not to arbitrarily fight crime and terrorists. Yes, that's more flexible and convenient, but it will cause unease in the international community and among the public!"
Nick Fury spoke with righteous indignation, but from his position, he was actually quite uncomfortable, since S.H.I.E.L.D..'s independence was only in name.
"The international community and the people? You mean the politicians hiding behind S.H.I.E.L.D.. and the World Security Council? Those politicians who only demand to fight terrorists who don't infringe on their interests?"
Qin Xiao appeared somewhat dismissive. Even if Alexander Pierce, that Hydra, wasn't the chairman of the World Security Council, Qin Xiao wouldn't trust those hypocritical Western politicians.
"I don't want to argue with you about this anymore. The Red Room organization can't be controlled by individuals, and neither can you and Tony. It's too dangerous. It needs to be overseen. Power needs to be supervised, otherwise it might turn from protecting people into harming them. Do you understand?"
Nick Fury softened his tone and began to reason with Qin Xiao earnestly.
Seeing his reaction, Qin Xiao put away his disdain, sat up straight, and spoke seriously.
"I absolutely agree with you, Nick! But those who should be overseeing us are the people—those who need protection on the streets, those who cannot protect themselves when war and killing come, not some World Security Council!"
"Perhaps the World Security Council isn't ideal or perfect, but it was established by many countries around the world. We have organization and procedures, like a lawnmower. It may not be able to reach every tiny corner like a sickle, but it's stable and efficient, isn't it?"
Nick Fury made a vivid analogy.
"But we still need a sickle, don't we? Nick, you're right, but the world needs more than just lawnmowers; it also needs a sickle to reach those corners that lawnmowers can't see or can't easily clean, doesn't it?"
"And it seems the people operating the lawnmowers didn't just leave things in one corner. They just want to control all the weapons. What do they want to monitor? Everyone in the world? Like putting a gun over everyone's head? You know what I mean, right?"
Nick Fury certainly knew what Qin Xiao was talking about.
Project Insight, a plan proposed by Alexander Pierce and approved by the World Security Council, is currently top secret and in the intensive preparation stage.
In fact, even his newly developed mobile base, the Helicarrier, is just a derivative product of this plan.
But even Coulson didn't have the authority to know about this plan, so how did Qin Xiao come to know?
As soon as Qin Xiao said those words, Nick Fury's eyes immediately filled with wariness as he looked at Qin Xiao.
"Don't look at me like that, Nick. I haven't planted anyone around you. You know my past, don't you? The Red Room didn't either. You can ask Natasha; you know she wouldn't lie to you. I know far more than you think—about this world, this universe, things from the past and the future!"
" Asgard and that mysterious Kamar-Taj?"
Nick Fury asked casually.
"You can understand it that way, my friend. I assure you, as long as politics isn't involved, the Avengers Initiative is still in effect if needed!"
Qin Xiao stood up and said in a serious tone.
I hope you'll remember what you said!
Nick Fury knew that persuasion was useless, so he stood up and prepared to leave.
"Qin, let me say a few last words to you. You control all the resources and intelligence of the Red Room. To many, this is not only a threat but also a piece of meat. After leaving S.H.I.E.L.D.., you need to be prepared to face the covetous eyes and dirty hands of those people!"
"There's one more point I must emphasize: the world order is built on the stable political systems of each country. No matter how many flaws they may have, they are the foundation that guarantees the lives of billions of people. People may cheer for the heroes who save them, but ultimately, they trust governments that can maintain long-term stability."
"You and Tony aren't Steve Rogers. Unless you have a base of public trust as strong as his, you'd better consider my advice!"
After saying that, Nick Fury turned to leave, but bumped into Captain America, who was about to enter.
"Qin, I didn't mean to interrupt your conversation, but why is this disposable towel Yelena gave me sticky?!"
Nick Fury looked like he'd seen a ghost, took two steps back, and plopped back down in his chair.
"Oh my god! What am I seeing? Qin, don't tell me he's Captain Rogers Steve Rogers, fucking f***! Am I hallucinating with my only eye?"
Nick Fury sat in the chair, his neck hunched, his hands outstretched, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Captain America looked equally surprised. "You know me? I am indeed Steve Rogers. Qin, is he your friend?"
Actually, Qin Xiao didn't want Nick Fury and Captain America to meet so soon. Recently, Captain America has been spending his days in his room catching up on things he'd lost over the past few decades.
Even if you do exit, you'll only be in a few fixed areas.
Qin Xiao had specially arranged this reception room today, far away from Captain America's activity area, but who knew he would actually come over.
I really don't know whether to call it fate or destiny.
"Alright! Let me introduce you, Captain. This is Nick Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D..! You can put down what you're holding for now. Also, this isn't a disposable towel; this is called a face mask, Captain!"
Chapter Three is here. There will be another chapter later. Readers who are used to going to bed early can wait until tomorrow morning to read it together with the first chapter!