bioinnovel Chapter 546 [3 Chapters Combined] I Want Them All
Chapter 546 [3 Chapters Combined] I Want Them All
As the meeting ended, the images on the virtual screens went dark one by one.
Before long, the conference room was plunged into darkness again.
Fury stood alone in front of the holographic screen, the afterglow of the blue light slowly dissipating in the air.
He leaned against the table and closed his eyes.
The Avengers.
This plan had been swirling in his mind for many years, and today it finally began.
The only tricky problem is...
The young man standing at the forefront, the one who could be considered the core leader of this plan, was unaware that he was about to be thrust into the eye of the storm.
"Fuck... If I'd known it would turn out like this, I should have ignored Black's objections and invited Peter to S.H.I.E.L.D. when I first saw him. That way, I could have made contact with Riley beforehand and tried to invite him to join S.H.I.E.L.D."
He muttered a curse under his breath, but there was no anger in his voice, only a deep sense of resentment and regret, and a hint of relief that even he himself didn't realize.
After all, despite his complaints, Nick Fury knew in his heart...
Given Riley's protective nature, if he really dared to bring Peter to S.H.I.E.L.D., especially since S.H.I.E.L.D. hadn't yet purged the Hydra spies within its ranks...
I'm afraid the entire S.H.I.E.L.D. will have to be wiped off the face of the earth.
Nick Fury quickly regained his composure. He reached for the phone on the table and skillfully dialed a number.
The phone rang for a long time before it was finally answered.
"Fury? What's going on..." Tony's voice came through the receiver, hoarse and tired, clearly indicating he had only recently fallen asleep. "Do you even know what time it is?"
"That's strange, you're going to bed so early today. Did you stay up late again last night?" Nick Fury joked at first, then his tone became serious as he explained his purpose to Tony. "To make a long story short, Riley said there are some things I can talk to you about."
"...What are we talking about?"
"The last missing piece of the puzzle for a space-based aircraft carrier."
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.
"Are you serious?"
"Why would I lie to you about something like this? What good would it do me to tell you such a simplistic lie that can be verified with a single phone call?"
Another silence followed.
Then Tony sighed, and immediately on the other end of the phone came the faint sound of fabric rubbing together, clearly Tony was getting up and changing.
"Alright, at least this time you knew to call ahead and make an appointment instead of letting your agent barge in... Meet me in my office in an hour. Keep an eye on the time, I'll wait for you for no more than three minutes."
The phone call ended as soon as he finished speaking.
Nick Fury hung up the phone, not angry at Tony's perfunctory attitude, but instead a slight smile appeared on his lips.
Just as he had guessed…
Tony, who has never been friendly to S.H.I.E.L.D., did not immediately refuse to cooperate when he heard that Riley had sent him.
Of course, going to Tony at this time, besides obtaining the Arc Reactor from him and successfully activating the Helicarrier to counter the impending invasion crisis...
More importantly, besides Black Widow Natasha, who was originally an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., the only people Nick Fury could be considered to know and have a decent relationship with were Riley and Tony.
Therefore, Nick Fury decided to recruit Tony into the project as the first step in creating the Avengers.
Everything is proceeding according to plan, and it seems to be returning to its proper trajectory.
But what Nick Fury didn't know was...
While he was calling Tony, another call was going through.
……
Ten thousand meters above the clouds, Riley hovered, his figure blending into the deep night. He looked down at the dazzling, star-studded cityscape of New York City, his mental energy spreading throughout the city like invisible tendrils, precisely searching for the faint energy fluctuations of the Cosmic Cube.
But Amora was clearly prepared, using some means to completely conceal the energy fluctuations of the Cosmic Cube, leaving no clues behind.
Fortunately, Riley, being a time traveler, could probably guess that Amora, who had taken over Loki's villainous role, ultimately aimed to use the energy of the Tesseract to open a stable and long-lasting large portal, transporting the Chitauri army from the distant universe to Earth.
To achieve this goal, Amora needs to find a way to collect some precious materials.
In other words, Amora will eventually reveal his whereabouts on his own, so there's no need to rush.
It was at this moment that Alexander Pierce's report came through the communicator on the suit, relaying the contents of the meeting that had just ended to Riley without missing a single word.
His tone was sincere and humble, as if he were not a high-ranking official, but a loyal servant to Riley.
"The Avengers? This day has finally come... But, Spider-Man will be one of the original Avengers. What would Spider-Men from other parallel universes think if they knew? I'm really curious..."
Riley was not surprised at all that this person, who should have been killed by Bucky the Winter Soldier and wiped out of the world, was now communicating with him safely, as if it were all under his control.
He chuckled softly, muttering to himself with a hint of playful curiosity.
After Pierce finished his report, Riley looked down at the dazzling city and gave a meaningful instruction to "Alexander Pierce".
"I'll take care of everything, Talos. In the meantime, just focus on playing your part."
"After all, as long as no one discovers... you are the real Alexander Pierce."
Riley's eyes gleamed with a shrewd, calculating light as he replied, each word deliberate and precise. His tone subtly carried an ambition he had never revealed to anyone else—an ambition that seemed capable of sweeping everything away.
He even raised his hand, pointed at New York City below, slowly clenched his fist, and spoke meaningfully.
"With this identity, whether it's S.H.I.E.L.D. or Hydra..."
"I want them all."
……
Three days later, Stark Industries, rooftop helipad.
The morning sunlight pierced through the thin mist, refracting a golden halo on the glass curtain wall.
On the tarmac, a silver-gray Quinjet was parked quietly, its wings gleaming with a cold metallic sheen under the sunlight, and the S.H.I.E.L.D. eagle emblem on its fuselage was clearly visible.
Coulson stood by the hatch, holding two cups of coffee. He handed one to the technician next to him and kept the other for himself.
His expression remained as gentle as ever, but a hint of barely perceptible expectation lingered in his eyes…
After all, the significance of each person who came today was enough to make this veteran agent's heart race.
Shortly after, the elevator doors on the helipad opened.
Tony Stark was the first to step forward.
He wore a well-tailored dark gray suit, the reactor on his chest emitting a soft blue glow beneath his shirt, and carried a silver briefcase.
He glanced lazily at the Quinjet, then looked at Coulson, and made a casual joke.
"You guys are still using this old-fashioned fighter jet? Does this mean that after I left the arms business, no one at S.H.I.E.L.D. can develop new equipment? If I had known this, I would have just flown over there myself. Letting this thing sit here will only lower the value of my property."
"You call it 'old-fashioned,' but to us, it's already a very advanced fighter jet... Of course, if possible, we would still welcome your guidance."
Coulson showed no displeasure upon hearing this. Instead, he smiled and answered flawlessly.
"In addition, Director Fury said that this kind of group setting off will allow everyone to get to know each other better during the journey... and also add a sense of ceremony to the Avengers' first operation."
"The sense of ritual... to put it bluntly, isn't it just that guy doesn't trust us and doesn't want to reveal the exact coordinates of the space carrier?"
Tony rolled his eyes, and while he was annoyed and complained, he also followed the basic principle of "not hitting a smiling face" and stepped into the Quinjet through the open hatch.
"Fine, I'll put up with it since he didn't just send agents over to knock me out and tie me up."
Shortly after Tony entered, Bruce Banner arrived as well.
He was wearing a brand new jacket, holding a takeaway coffee in one hand and a phone in the other, which was on a video call. He was chatting and laughing with Betty on the other end, his face full of a happy smile.
His steps were steady, his gaze was peaceful, and he exuded a visible sense of ease.
Compared to a few years ago, when he was a "freak" who hid away, had bloodshot eyes, and tried his best to avoid contact with others, he was completely different.
Good morning, Dr. Banner.
"Just call me Banner... Oh, by the way, Betty asked me to give you her regards. And by the way, after the crisis is over, will she have the chance to visit that amazing space carrier herself?"
"It would be an honor, and we would warmly welcome her."
After a brief greeting, Banner boarded the fighter jet and sat down opposite Tony.
Tony glanced at him and, seeing that Banner's attention was completely focused on Betty on the phone screen from beginning to end, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and tease him meaningfully.
"You look great, Banner... It seems having a beautiful woman by your side makes you sleep even better?"
"Ahem, what nonsense are you talking about, Tony..."
Upon hearing this, Banner coughed several times, his face slightly flushed, before quickly changing the subject.
"Betty just rearranged my lab; the soundproofing is top-notch. Hulk likes it there; it's quiet."
"Hulk likes quiet? I thought he just liked smashing things around?"
"I used to think the same way as you, but now it seems that it was just a helpless move by Hulk to protect himself. There was no other way... Fortunately, we are communicating well now."
"That sounds like good news, but I wonder if Hulk's fighting power will decline after having too many good days?"
"There's no need to worry. Hulk can always show up to help when necessary... Moreover, I've recently started trying to get Mr. Jackie Chan to teach Hulk Chinese martial arts."
"Wow, the Hulk's power, combined with the mysterious Chinese martial arts... I'm actually quite curious. Come to my place next time and let's test the real-world combat data!"
"No problem, you can decide the time."
As they chatted amongst themselves, more people soon entered the cabin.
Natasha Romanoff, codenamed "Black Widow," is currently the only S.H.I.E.L.D. agent confirmed to have joined the Avengers.
She wore a tight-fitting, sharp black tactical uniform that perfectly accentuated her fluid and explosive figure. Her bright red curly hair was tied high in a neat ponytail, without any unnecessary embellishment. Her steps were as light as a feline in the night, silent yet exuding an aura of menace.
She simply nodded slightly to Coulson, without any further pleasantries or words, and went straight into the cabin, choosing a window seat to sit down.
He then lowered his head and began to carefully examine the stun gun on his wrist, the fighting knife at his waist, and the concealed pistol. His movements were practiced and calm, radiating a dangerous aura that warned others to stay away.
Tony glanced at Natasha instinctively.
Even though he had seen all kinds of beauties, he had to admit how outstanding Natasha's beauty was.
But he didn't approach Natasha and strike up a conversation as he had done before.
Firstly, having experienced many changes, Tony now knows that Pepper Potts, who is always by his side, is the most compatible partner in his life. This has made Tony completely rein in his former playboy ways and stop being so promiscuous.
Secondly, although influenced by Riley, Natasha did not pretend to be Tony's secretary or deliberately try to get close to him. This means that this is the first time the two have met.
But Tony's keen intuition kept reminding him...
This woman is far more terrifying than she appears; she is definitely not someone to be trifled with.
So Tony just glanced at it briefly, then looked away and continued fiddling with the armor control system in his briefcase, without bothering or striking up a conversation.
Just then, the elevator doors slid open for the third time.
A person wearing a white shirt, a black jacket, and slightly faded jeans slowly walked out of the elevator.
It was Captain America, Steve Rogers.
Dressed in casual clothes, which hugged his tall and straight figure, Steve looked less like a superhero and more like a gentle older brother next door.
If you ignore the iconic round shield he carries on his back...
I reckon that even without any disguise, if he walked down the street, no one would believe that he was Captain America, who was officially confirmed to be "dead" during World War II!
The moment Coulson saw Steve, his eyes lit up, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned upwards. Even the fingers gripping his coffee cup tightened slightly, unable to hide his excitement.
That was a genuine, heartfelt ecstasy and worship, completely devoid of any agent formalities.
He strode forward, his voice lighter than usual, radiating the undisguised enthusiasm of a fan.
"Captain! Hello! It's been so long! It's so nice to see you again!"
Without any official jargon or formalities, Coulson's current behavior is exactly what a die-hard fan looks like when meeting their idol, his eyes shining like they're filled with starlight.
Faced with this blatant admiration, Steve remained calm and gentle, without the slightest airs. He reached out and gently patted Coulson's arm, his tone frank:
"Don't be so polite, Coulson, just call me Steve... This time, I'm grateful that you made this special trip."
He treated Coulson with ease and naturalness, his frankness leaving no room for error.
But that composure shattered the moment he looked up into the cabin.
Hearing the commotion, Tony had somehow appeared at the cabin door, smiling at Steve. As he always did when they met, he waved enthusiastically, his tone familiar and casual.
"Hey, Captain, you actually came in civilian clothes today? I thought you'd just weld your uniform to your body when you heard we were going on a mission."
There was not a trace of suspicion or estrangement in their words. He was still the same carefree person who treated Steve as a comrade-in-arms to whom he could entrust his life.
But it was precisely because of this that Steve's mood suddenly sank.
The cause of Howard and his wife's death was like a burning thorn stuck in his throat.
He knew that his murder that night was not an accident. He also knew it wasn't Bajira's intention, but rather that he had been controlled and manipulated by Hydra...
But he also knew that no matter what, the fact remained that Bucky had killed Howard and his wife.
Once this secret is exposed, it will be enough to destroy all the friendship and trust between Steve and Tony.
This left Steve, after rescuing Bucky, verbally promising to explain things to Tony, unsure of where to begin.
I can't even imagine what would happen if Tony found out the truth, and a conflict arose between him and Bucky, perhaps even escalating to the point of no return...
So, who should I help?
Therefore, upon seeing Tony in front of him, Steve's composure when facing Coulson vanished instantly. His eyes narrowed sharply, and he instinctively turned his face away, avoiding Tony's gaze.
The momentary dodge, stiffness, and guilt were all too obvious.
Tony raised an eyebrow and paused, his smile slowly fading, a clear look of doubt flashing in his eyes.
Captain America, who is always frank and upright with an honest look in his eyes, is actually avoiding him?
Not right.
This is really not right...
In the past, when they met, the captain didn't talk much, but at least they would have a normal conversation and wouldn't deliberately avoid him like this. What's wrong with him today?
Could it be...?
When did I offend the captain?
That shouldn't be the case...
Given the captain's personality, if I had really offended him, he would have started lecturing me to my face long ago, instead of having this expression.
But if it's not my fault, then thinking about it the other way around, isn't it...?
What did the captain do without my knowledge that might offend me?
In the blink of an eye, Tony, who had spent years navigating the business world and had a keen understanding of human nature, was able to guess Steve's inner thoughts with remarkable accuracy.
But just as Tony frowned and was about to ask a question, a slight whooshing sound came from above.
Looking in the direction of the sound, one could see a spider web suddenly wrapped around the steel frame of the helipad.
Then, a figure broke through the fog, descending from the sky on spider silk. Its toes landed steadily on the cabin entrance, the movement swift and imposing.
The all-black symbiote battle suit was form-fitting and had a matte finish. Its white eyes were cold and deep, and its aura was calm yet intimidating.
It was Riley.
"Tony, the captain is your senior, so be a little more mindful of your words when you're joking around."
"Huh? An elder? Are you serious?"
"Of course, don't forget, the captain and your father were once close comrades-in-arms. So theoretically speaking... you should actually call him 'Uncle Steve'."
He clearly noticed Steve's embarrassment, and the moment he landed, he spoke before Tony could. With a serious yet sarcastic remark, he naturally changed the subject, precisely nipping Tony's doubts in the bud.
Of course, seeing that Captain America still had no intention of revealing the news about Bucky to Tony, Riley, clearly biased towards his own little inventor, didn't forget to glance at Steve intentionally or unintentionally while emphasizing certain words.
This is undoubtedly a reminder to Steve that Bucky wasn't the only victim in the Hydra-planned assassination attempt...
Tony also lost the companionship of his parents because of this incident.
Under these circumstances, if Steve insists on favoring Bucky and continues to conceal the truth...
Then he has to ask himself honestly whether he has lived up to Tony's reputation as his "nephew".
This made Steve, who instantly understood Riley's meaning, even more guilty and embarrassed. He subconsciously turned his head away, avoiding eye contact with Riley.
"You want me to call him uncle? Are you kidding me?!"
At the same time, Riley's words successfully made Tony furious on the spot.
With exaggerated hand gestures, Tony responded half-jokingly and half-seriously, instantly banishing all the doubts about Steve that had just surfaced in his mind.
"Please! He looks younger than me! I'm already being lenient by not letting him call me 'brother'!"
"But it's true, if the captain calls you 'brother,' then you'd be on the same page as your dad, Tony!"
"……hiss……"
Tony opened his mouth, instinctively wanting to refute, but found that the logic was impeccable.
Finally, he rolled his eyes, plopped back into his seat, tossed his suitcase aside, and muttered to himself.
"Fine, fine, you win. But I don't care about that, I'm used to calling him that... and if I really called him that, he'd probably find it cheesy."
As he spoke, Tony raised his chin and called out in Steve's direction.
"That's what you think too, Captain!"
This time, his tone was free of doubt and questioning, only the casual warmth of old friends.
Steve turned his head and met Tony's gaze.
Although his expression was still somewhat unnatural, at least he stopped dodging.
"……Um."
Steve nodded in response, his voice still a little hoarse, but the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.
It seems that once this crisis is resolved...
I really need to find some time to have a serious talk with Tony...