"Director, this is the latest intel on the Assassin Brotherhood and Smith Doyle."
"According to Natasha's observations and my own information, we've summarized the following points."
"First: thanks to the elimination of the Hand and the Kingpin's organization in Hell's Kitchen, the Brotherhood's finances have been greatly relieved — estimated earnings no less than two billion dollars."
Nick Fury cut in:"That's it?"
"I remember the Hand and the Kingpin's assets are worth much more. Even just the Kingpin's industries far exceed that, don't they?"
Coulson explained:"Yes, their total assets are indeed much higher. But the Brotherhood couldn't take over much of it. In terms of legitimate businesses, apart from what the Kingpin willingly transferred, the Hand's legitimate industries were largely inaccessible to them."
"As for the underground operations — arms, drugs, organ trade, human trafficking, telecom scams, assassinations — the Brotherhood didn't take over either. They only took all the cash and some real estate."
Nick nodded."If there are no inheritors left, then have us officially take over all the legitimate industries."
Coulson continued:"We already have people working on it."
"Second: Natasha reported that Smith Doyle wields a powerful energy wave attack using both hands together — it destroyed an entire building in one strike. The maximum destructive potential and range remain unknown."
"Third: Smith currently has a close relationship with Tony Stark — they appeared together at the charity gala, and Smith profited during Stark Industries' stock drop. Likely they developed a friendship after the rescue."
"Fourth: Smith told me they've developed a new device — likely the key to locating Stark in the desert. He plans to release it as a product soon."
"Fifth: currently all contracts posted through the Brotherhood are being fulfilled by underground killers. The Brotherhood's own members aren't taking any missions."
"As for Smith Doyle's origins, the undercover agent embedded in their archives hasn't found anything useful — only that he's an orphan, referred to by their leaders as 'heaven-sent.'"
After hearing all five points, Fury said:"Have Natasha find out which scientist is running their labs. As Fox's secretary she should have a chance to learn that."
"And since the Brotherhood is launching products, Coulson, you'll attend the release — even if the thing is useless, buy a batch as a goodwill gesture."
"If it really has value, we'll need to reassess them entirely."
"Also, deepen our ties with Smith Doyle. Open some doors for their enterprises if needed."
"Have intel dig into any missing infant cases in Brooklyn from 18 years ago — see if we can trace his background. No one just appears out of thin air."
Coulson wasn't surprised — he understood the Director's plan and the need to bring Smith to their side. But without the right kind of enemy, it would be hard to unite everyone behind him. That would require more work from intel.
"Yes, sir."
After receiving his orders, Coulson departed.
Left alone, Fury stacked the files neatly on his desk.
He'd learned from surviving High Table elders that grenades and explosives could harm Smith. That alone lowered Smith's danger level considerably in Fury's mind. If small-caliber weapons wouldn't work, at least explosives gave them options.
But testing his durability was another matter — those video clips were just a reference. He'd have to plan that carefully.
If only Carol Danvers were here. She could easily gauge Smith's limits. Thinking of that, Fury opened his safe and pulled out a special pager — Captain Marvel's emergency beacon. His ace in the hole all these years.
He'd never used it — partly because Carol told him not to unless Earth was in existential danger, and partly because there hadn't been anyone worth it.
Thinking of the nickname some called Smith — "N***er Killer" — irritated Fury. How could someone so righteous be a racist?
If he didn't know Smith better, he'd have met him personally already. But with someone like that, sneaking in to talk risked getting himself killed instantly.
He shook his head, abandoning the idea of meeting Smith himself. Better to let Coulson handle it.
He slipped the pager into his trench coat pocket instead of putting it back in the safe — though even he wasn't sure exactly who he was guarding against.
Meanwhile…
Tony, piloting the freshly completed Mark 3, arrived at the town of Gulmira — now overrun by brutal slaughter and pillaging.
The Ten Rings fighters were loading women and children into trucks like cargo, while gunning down men and the elderly.
A father called desperately for his son, who called back for his father — right as a terrorist raised his rifle to kill him.
Then Tony, clad in Mark 3, slammed into the ground.
The terrorist pulled the trigger and unleashed a full magazine — but the bullets pinged uselessly off the armor, not even scratching the paint.
(End of Chapter)
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