After ending the communication with General Ross, Nick Fury leaned back in his seat, a glimmer of excitement flashing across his one good eye.
Opposite him, Maria Hill folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Boss, are you always this skilled at… taking advantage of chaos?"
Fury smirked, brushing off the jab with a wave of his hand. "This isn't taking advantage of chaos. It's called strategic intervention. The Avengers formation plan is stalling—we need more heroes. And like it or not, the military's Super Soldier Program is still a potential resource."
Hill didn't look convinced. "With respect, Director, their serum just created a monster that nearly leveled a city block. Hulk was an accident, sure—but he's still got a shred of humanity. That thing—the Abomination—was all destruction."
"Which is why we need to guide the program. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s oversight can steer it in the right direction."
"Steer a wreck?" Hill muttered. "The military's serum is clearly flawed. Who's to say the next iteration won't create another abomination—or something even worse?"
Nick Fury remained undeterred. "That's exactly why we need the Avengers—a team strong enough to stop the next disaster before it spirals out of control."
Hill studied him carefully. "Or," she said, after a pause, "maybe we could talk to the X-Men."
That made Fury's eye twitch.
Not because of the suggestion itself—but because it came from Hill.
The fact that even Hill—typically pragmatic, regulation-bound, and firmly loyal to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s structure—was now suggesting Mutant cooperation… it meant the Mutants were winning public support in a big way.
"Impossible," Fury said at last, sighing.
"Why not?" Hill asked, genuinely curious.
"Because Mutants are uncontrolled. The World Security Council would never approve giving that kind of power any access to S.H.I.E.L.D. authority."
He gave her a complicated look.
"Maria, you're not seeing the deeper politics at play. S.H.I.E.L.D. may seem independent, but we're still an agency backed by world governments. That means our existence is built on the support of people who see Mutants as a different species entirely."
"Think back to our original Avengers roster."
Hill frowned, then nodded slowly. "Captain America—government-made super soldier. Black Widow and Hawkeye—government agents. Iron Man—powered by his own tech... and Hulk, an accident but still military-affiliated."
"Exactly. All of them—except Hulk to a degree—are the results of human science or control."
"But Mutants?" Fury added with emphasis, "They're born with their powers. And that distinction—genetic versus engineered—scares the hell out of politicians."
"If Mutants ever had access to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s political machinery," Fury went on, "imagine the backlash. What happens the day some official wakes up and finds out the whole agency's under the influence of a telepath?"
Hill gritted her teeth. "So, even if they're heroes, they'll never be accepted?"
"This isn't about trust, Maria. It's about power—and who's allowed to wield it."
She scowled. "Damn politics."
"Damn reality," Fury corrected. "If we want to keep protecting the world, we have to play by its rules. Otherwise, we lose funding and legitimacy. Without backing, S.H.I.E.L.D. becomes just another black ops group with a fancy logo."
Before Hill could respond, Fury's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then brightened. "Steve Rogers. Looks like he finally made up his mind."
Hill blinked. "Captain America?"
Fury answered quickly, eager. "Steve! Been hoping to hear from you."
On the other end, the legendary soldier's voice was solemn. "Nick. I've had time to think. I'm an old man out of place in this century, but I still want to fight for what's right. So I'll join your Avengers Initiative… but I have one condition."
Fury sat upright. "Name it. Anything."
Steve's voice grew heavier. "You've seen what happened in Twister City, right? The chaos, the destruction, the deaths?"
Fury's excitement faded.
Steve continued, "The Hulk and Abomination were both created by the military's Super Soldier Program. A program that only exists because of me."
There was a long pause on the line.
"My success as a super soldier inspired generations of attempts… and now it's created monsters."
Fury had nothing to say. He could feel where this was going.
"I want that program shut down, Nick. Permanently. I'll work with you. But only if S.H.I.E.L.D. helps me stop them from making more monsters."
Fury's face was stone.
Hill watched him closely.
In his mind, Fury cursed a dozen times over. He had just made a secret deal with General Ross—S.H.I.E.L.D. would supervise the Super Soldier Program moving forward. It was political gold. But now?
Now, the symbolic heart of the Avengers wanted it dead.
Extreme joy had turned to gut-punching irony.
But Nick Fury was a master manipulator—and he didn't hesitate.
"Absolutely, Steve. I agree completely. The program's lost its way. They're playing with forces that endanger innocent lives. I'll help you stop it."
"Thank you, Nick. I knew I could count on you."
"Welcome to the Avengers, Captain," Fury said with a forced smile.
The second the call ended, his smile dropped.
He turned to Hill, all business. "Effective immediately, access to any Super Soldier Program documentation is classified to Level 9 or above. If Stephen Rogers asks questions, we deny. Full secrecy."
Hill raised an eyebrow but didn't object. She'd worked under Fury long enough to know: this was how S.H.I.E.L.D. operated.
On the rooftop of a distant skyscraper, Joseph stood with arms crossed, watching the fading chaos below.
The battlefield had quieted. The Abomination was down.
Below, Professor X maintained faint psychic control while Wolverine, Cyclops, and Phoenix surrounded the monster. Iron Man hovered above in support, while Nightcrawler teleported around, providing quick evacuations and medical assistance.
The synergy was flawless.
But Joseph shook his head with a smirk. "Charles… still too soft."
He wasn't surprised the X-Men had spared Abomination's life.
Sure enough, once the battle was over, they remained at the scene, waiting beneath the swirling Osprey helicopters.
Eventually, General Ross emerged.
He surveyed the devastation with heavy steps. Collapsed buildings. Broken glass. Fires in the distance. The cries of the injured mixed with the blare of sirens and shouts of first responders.
From the crowd that had begun to gather, a shout rang out:
"Monster maker, get out of the city!"
The phrase struck like a match on dry tinder.
"Monster maker, get out of Twister!"
"GET OUT!"
People who'd watched Shadowcat's livestream—or been briefed by those who had—erupted in fury. The crowd surged, fists raised, chants echoing through the streets.
"Monster maker! Get out!"
Ross froze in place.
The eyes of hundreds bored into him with rage and disgust. Even with his military bearing, the pressure was visible. His own daughter, Betty Ross, started toward Hulk—but stopped when she noticed her father's presence. Hulk's gaze flicked between her and Ross with caution.
Still, Ross pushed forward, forcing himself toward the Abomination's battered body.
He had no choice. The monster—his monster—had to be taken back for analysis.
On the rooftop, Shadowcat scoffed. "He's still walking straight into it? That man's got more gall than Wilhelm Stryker."
Joseph didn't respond. His eyes were on Samuel Stern, who had rejoined them after his explosive interview.
Stern's expression was full of concern. "Mr. Joseph… should we stop him? If they take the Abomination back, they'll extract his blood. That could mean another serum."
Joseph just smiled. "And what do you think they'll get from him now?"
Stern hesitated.
Joseph elaborated, "The serum you gave him scrambled his brain. Every cell in his body is a stew of aggression and instability. Even if the military manages to extract something from his blood, the only thing they'll create is another monster."
"Which," Joseph added, turning away, "is exactly what we want."
Stern's eyes widened.
He alone understood what no one else did—that none of this had been an accident. Not the exposure of Ross. Not the live broadcast. Not even the X-Men's perfectly timed entrance.
It had all been Joseph's plan.
From the very first message exchanged with Bruce Banner online… to the serum samples quietly provided by a "concerned scientist"... to Samuel's public confession… Joseph had orchestrated it all.
And poor General Ross?
He still thought it was just a coincidence.
------------------------------------------------------
Get membership in patreon to read more chapters
Extra chapters available in patreon
patreon.com/Dragonscribe31
-------------------------------------------------------