Looking at the several warships hovering overhead, Bucky discussed with Christy and selected the one on the far right.
The battleships were nearly identical in appearance and capabilities, so their choice was largely a matter of preference.
Just after they made their selection, a car suddenly pulled up in front of them.
Fury stepped out, looking at Bucky and Christy.
"Pardon the uninvited appearance. Consider this vehicle a gift from me to you and your wife."
The car didn't look particularly impressive—seemingly just an ordinary vehicle.
In reality, however, it was a specially modified transport that Fury had commissioned, with extraordinary protective capabilities. Even under intense attack, it would provide excellent security for its passengers.
Compared to the battleship Marcus had given them, Fury's gift hardly attracted attention. The media ignored the car completely, continuing to photograph the massive warship Bucky had selected.
Fury wasn't bothered by this lack of attention. He hadn't come to make a splash in the news—he was here to speak with Marcus. He still needed to attempt satisfying the Council's demands.
Though the directors had optimistically assumed each country would receive a warship, the world simply didn't work that way.
Fury's own realistic expectation was that they might secure a single battleship for joint international research.
"I need to discuss something with you," he said, approaching Marcus.
"What is it?" Marcus asked, wondering what the bald schemer wanted from him now.
Hearing Marcus's inquiry, Fury didn't waste time with small talk. "Do you have plans for all these warships?" he asked directly.
Marcus glanced at the vessels in the sky. Besides the one given to Bucky, there were five other warships.
He planned to transform the command ship into a Railjack, leaving only four battleships unaccounted for.
"Are you interested in these warships?" Marcus asked with raised eyebrows.
Fury's interest surprised him. As someone who could access space at any time, it wouldn't be difficult for Fury to build small spacecraft.
The Skrulls working with Howard in Carol's laboratory weren't pushovers. With sufficient resources, they could easily construct small warships.
Although the Chitauri vessels were impressive, it seemed strange for Fury to be so determined to acquire all of them.
Marcus's question made Fury sigh. He gestured toward a more secluded spot away from the crowd.
"The World Security Council asked me to confiscate these warships," Fury explained once they were alone. "I refused, explaining the consequences of angering you."
"But they came back with a new request—they want me to negotiate a trade for these vessels."
Fury's tone was casual, as if he wasn't particularly invested in the outcome.
Marcus smiled thoughtfully. He truly didn't need all the warships. Apart from the one given to Bucky, there were four spare vessels that needed disposal.
These battleships had limited use to him personally. However, allowing Tony to research them could develop new technologies and advance Stark Industries.
After all, Marcus still held shares in Stark Industries. While he wasn't hurting for money, growing the company would increase his wealth considerably.
The transaction wouldn't be simple, though. He wasn't a charitable foundation. Whoever stood behind the Council would need to pay adequately.
"They want to trade for these warships?" Marcus nodded slightly. "Very well, but they'll need to offer something I actually want."
He had no illusions about the hidden agendas of world governments.
It was like the world of mutants—governments maintained a public facade of friendship while secretly developing Sentinel robots, eventually forcing Charles and his allies to travel back in time to alter their apocalyptic future.
Despite the vast gap between mutants and ordinary humans, in this world too, no matter how much Tony and the others helped society, they remained unpredictable variables from the government's perspective.
No administration would tolerate unstable elements in their midst. Whatever they said publicly, they would never cease studying these phenomena secretly.
Such research might prove useful to Marcus, so he wouldn't simply give away these assets.
As for whether they might try to deceive him with fabricated research—that choice wasn't theirs to make.
If they refused to provide genuinely valuable research, he wouldn't hesitate to send the battleships to Carol's laboratory to expand their already enormous base.
"What do you want in exchange? I'll convey your terms," Fury said.
Though surprised by Marcus's willingness to negotiate, he maintained his calm demeanor.
"If they want battleships, they'll trade their special research projects and resources that I find valuable," Marcus stated plainly.
Fury was taken aback. Having served as S.H.I.E.L.D. Director for years, he understood Marcus's meaning perfectly—but would the Council actually agree?
He knew all too well that various nations conducted secret research on enhanced individuals. Captain America and Red Skull remained the most famous examples of such enhancement.
Though Hulk was uncontrollable, his combat effectiveness was undeniable.
The military had previously used Hulk's blood to create a stable "Abomination"—a yellow behemoth. If that creature hadn't disobeyed orders and rampaged through the city intent on killing Hulk, the military might have created an entire army of such beings.
And that was just military operations. Numerous government black sites conducted research on superhuman capabilities.
Furthermore, Tony's technological achievements had inspired governments worldwide to increase funding for advanced technology development.
Now Marcus was asking all these countries to trade their research and resources for alien warships—essentially challenging governments to reveal their most closely guarded secrets.
"Well... I'll have to take this back to them," Fury said, rubbing his forehead. "You've really dropped a problem in my lap."
He could already imagine the Council directors' reactions, but as S.H.I.E.L.D. Director answerable to the Council, he had no choice but to face them.
"At least it's good news that you're willing to trade at all," he added.
"Oh, I forgot to mention—only three of these warships are available for trade," Marcus said with a smile, gesturing toward the vessels overhead. "I'm keeping the largest one for myself. One is Bucky's wedding gift, and another goes to Tony for research."
Fury's eye twitched noticeably.
If Marcus had offered just one warship, or all five remaining ones, Fury's job would have been simpler.
But by offering exactly three battleships to the Council, Marcus had created a political nightmare. Fury could already predict the storm that would erupt as nations fought over the limited assets.
"You really know how to make my life difficult," Fury sighed.
He shook his head, turned, and left the chapel.
Now he needed to deal with the Council directors. He hoped they would remain rational and avoid doing anything foolish.
Otherwise, he couldn't guarantee what might happen if those warships received commands directly from Marcus.
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