With the modified Extremis virus perfected, I could finally begin to execute the next phase of my plan: creating a network of loyal agents. The fugitives I had captured would serve as the perfect foundation for my new operation. They had already been cast aside by society, their lives devoid of value. To them, my offer was simple—survival and purpose in exchange for their complete loyalty.
The first step in my operation was to erase their past lives entirely. Using the vast resources at my disposal, I generated new identities for each of the captured fugitives. New names, backgrounds, and histories. They would no longer be fugitives; they would be my eyes, ears, and hands in the world.
I started with the more infamous ones—the criminals whose faces were known, whose acts had reverberated through the media. These individuals needed to be reintroduced to society, not as threats, but as saviours. To achieve that, I gave them a task: hunt down and convert other fugitives into loyal agents, like themselves.
The plan was simple: use their notoriety to track down the hidden, the forgotten, and the lost. These new recruits would be more malleable—ideal candidates for the virus. In exchange, I offered them the same loyalty, the same power.
The first of the fugitives I reprogrammed was a man named Julius "The Jaguar" Holt, a notorious ex-mercenary who had once terrorized the international underground. His face was still plastered on wanted posters in several countries. I gave him a new identity—Victor Hawke, a former secret operative turned whistleblower. The world knew him as a hero.
Holt, now Hawke, accepted his new role without question. The virus coursing through his veins kept his mind focused, his obedience absolute. He was the perfect candidate for the mission.
I sent him to track down the remaining fugitives hiding in the darkest corners of the globe. He was to locate those who were as far from justice as possible, using his reputation to draw them out. His targets would become new recruits—subjects for the Extremis virus.
Hawke was given access to the most advanced tracking and surveillance tools at my disposal. Within weeks, he began to identify several key figures still evading capture—people whose skills and knowledge were valuable to my growing network. They were criminals, yes, but they had something I needed: expertise.
Meanwhile, the lesser-known fugitives—those without any media presence or public notoriety—were assigned to more covert operations. These individuals would infiltrate key governments and corporations, planting the seeds for my broader reach.
They would begin as low-level operatives, slowly working their way into positions of influence. Corporate boardrooms, military units, and even intelligence agencies would unknowingly become my future strongholds. The virus's effects, which enhanced strength, healing, and intellect, would make these agents invaluable assets in a world that would never suspect them.
I sent them to various countries—each one strategically chosen for its geopolitical value. They would infiltrate as contractors, scientists, and even humanitarian workers. No one would suspect them, especially after their identities were modified to appear as credible, upstanding citizens. The virus would control their loyalty, ensuring that, when the time came, they would serve only me.
As the weeks passed, the network grew. The infamous fugitives—Hawke and his companions—brought in new recruits, individuals I could trust to carry out my will without question. Meanwhile, the infiltrators began establishing themselves in key locations around the world.
In every city, in every country, my influence expanded. The modified Extremis virus gave me control over those who might otherwise have been unstoppable forces. These were my agents, working in the shadows, sowing chaos, gathering intelligence, and ensuring that when I was ready, the world would be mine for the taking.
Of course, I was prepared for any unforeseen complications. The world, especially SHIELD and Stark Industries, would not sit idly by as my network expanded. They would notice anomalies—disappearances, strange patterns of behaviour, and inexplicable shifts in power.
But I had already accounted for that. The agents I created would leave no trace. They would blend into the world, undetected, waiting for the moment when they could strike. The few who might try to resist—who might even betray me—would be swiftly eliminated. The virus ensured loyalty, and the few cracks that might form would be sealed before they could widen.
I had also taken the liberty of placing additional layers of surveillance on the most powerful individuals in the world. If they so much as suspected my growing influence, I would know, and I would be prepared to act. This was a game of patience and precision.
I watched from behind the scenes as my agents began their work. Hawke's group had already turned several powerful fugitives into loyal agents. The infiltrators, meanwhile, were slowly and methodically positioning themselves in governments, corporations, and militaries across the globe. Every day, I saw the fruits of my labour grow.
The beauty of this plan lay in its invisibility. No one could trace these events back to me. Even if they uncovered some of my agents, they would never know the true scope of the operation. I was untouchable—an unseen hand controlling the world without leaving a trace of my existence.
The time for subtlety, however, was coming to an end. My agents had completed their groundwork, and the pieces were in place. Soon, the world would feel the full weight of my influence.
And when that day arrived, they would all realize the truth: they were nothing more than pawns in my game.